Donald Trump Says He'll Pay for Military Burials Halted Because of Shutdown

Deirdra Funcheon October 9, 2013 8:41AM

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Palm Beacher Doanld Trump tweeted this morning:

It is outrageous and disgusting that families of U.S. MILITARY personnel killed in action will not be given money for burials. SAD!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 9, 2013

Five U.S. soldiers were killed last week, and because of the federal government shutdown, the Department of Defense did not have the authority to authorize "death gratuities and other key benefits for the survivors of service members killed in action." Families typically get $100,000 (this is usually wired within days so families can pay for flights and expenses) plus a 12-month housing stipend. Though the benefits will likely be paid when the government starts up again, the glitch was seized up on Congress yesterday, where politicians blamed one another and vowed to fix it.

Six minutes after his initial tweet, Trump generously offered to take control (and blame Obama, rather than House Republicans), tweeting:

If the U.S. Government doesn't give the money necessary for the burials of our military personnel, I will.The U.S. under Obama's leadership!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 9, 2013

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