House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) indicated on Wednesday that the Trump administration is seeking methods to ensure that U.S. Capitol Police continue to receive pay during the ongoing government shutdown.
“We’ve always worked together with the Capitol Police and other law enforcement agencies, and our actions show that,” Johnson mentioned to reporters at the Capitol. “If there’s a way to make it happen, they will figure it out and secure the funding.”
He acknowledged that his administration would face “unfortunate” choices due to limited resources during the shutdown, but reiterated that military and law enforcement would remain a top priority for Republicans.
The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) put out a statement on Tuesday, suggesting preparations for what could be a prolonged shutdown while ensuring that military and law enforcement personnel will receive their paychecks without delay.
“OMB is doing everything possible to manage the Democratic Party’s stringent stance,” the bureau shared on social media platform X.
They didn’t clarify which specific law enforcement agency they were referring to.
Recently, the Trump administration redirected unspent funds intended for Pentagon research and development to cover military payments on October 15. Johnson hinted that a similar strategy might be used to fund the Capitol Police, who are deemed essential personnel, meaning they are expected to work through the shutdown; however, they missed their first full paycheck last Friday.
Support for the Capitol Police has often been a bipartisan topic, although it has gained a more partisan edge since the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol by supporters of President Trump trying to reverse his election defeat. Over 140 officers suffered injuries during the chaos, and several tragically took their own lives in the following weeks.
President Trump downplayed the seriousness of the incident. On his first day in office in January, he issued pardons to around 1,500 individuals convicted of crimes connected to the riot, including those who severely injured police officers.
Capitol Hill Republican leaders have also declined to support a monument honoring these officers, which has remained in storage in the Capitol basement for over two years despite being mandated by law.
