The President

Trump Claimed Troops Received No Raises For A Decade — They Have

President Trump made the claim before signing an executive order meant to increase employment opportunities for military spouses.

Trump Claimed Troops Received No Raises For A Decade — They Have
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On Wednesday, President Donald Trump incorrectly claimed his administration gave U.S. service members their first pay raise in a decade.

"We just approved $700 billion for our military. We're going to be having the best equipment ever known. And next year, $716 billion ... that also includes raises for our military — first time in 10 years," Trump told a crowd of military mothers and spouses.

But the Pentagon has given troops a pay raise every year for at least the past 10 years.

The $700 billion Trump mentioned refers to the 2018 defense spending bill. That bill includes a 2.4 percent raise for service members — the largest pay increase in eight years for military personnel. 

Trump spoke to a gathering of military mothers and spouses before signing an executive order meant to increase employment opportunities for military spouses.