Donald Trump has reportedly avoided paying National Guard troops sent to Washington, D.C., which has sparked anger among veterans.
Earlier this summer, reports said Trump was using a loophole when deploying the National Guard to avoid giving them certain benefits. In June, Vote In Or Out reported that “Trump deployed National Guard troops on multiple 29-day orders—specifically choosing durations under 30 days to avoid paying full Basic Allowance for Housing Type 1 (BAH‑1).”
“Under Title 32 regulations, if orders run fewer than 30 days, members receive only the reduced ‘BAH‑Type 2,’ not full BAH‑1; full benefits begin only on day 31 and only apply from that point forward—not retroactively,” the group wrote. “By repeatedly cycling short orders—ending them on day 29 and restarting on day 31—the administration saved roughly $2,500 per service member per month, based on differences between BAH‑Type 2 and BAH‑1.”
Now, veterans on Reddit and other social media are saying it might be happening again.
Early Sunday morning, military analyst WarMonitor reported, “White House put DC National Guard on 29-day orders… 1 day short of 30 needed for full housing and health benefits.”
Ex-GOP lawmaker and veteran Adam Kinzinger also commented Sunday morning, writing, “So Trump put the National Guard on 29 day orders?!”
He added, “Why does this matter: They don’t pay full housing allowance and no health insurance until 30 days. What an abusive commander in chief. So Trump.”
A self-identified veteran responded, saying, “I’m an ex-Military guy too, and we all know this is the kind of BS thing that infuriates us.”
Another veteran, @EpicJourneyMan1, wrote, “We swear an oath to the Constitution, not a man – and when a mere man abuses his power this way, we have every right to refuse an order we think is illegal. Before he pisses us off!”
Another self-identified veteran, known as @the15six, wrote Sunday, “29 day orders. What a giant piece of s— for a CiC. It’s always ‘f— the troops’ with Trump.”
