The Trump administration on Friday announced it had begun laying off more than 4,000 federal workers but will pay troops as the government shutdown continues.

Reduction-in-force notifications have gone out to employees in departments including the Treasury and Homeland Security.

President Donald Trump on Saturday said his administration has "identified funds" to pay troops next week despite the federal government shutdown.

The U.S. has about 1.3 million active-duty service members.

President claims he found a way to pay troops and directed Pentagon chief to release funds on 15 October

The Trump administration on Friday announced it had begun laying off more than 4,000 federal workers but will pay troops as the government shutdown continues.

Donald Trump says he has directed the defence secretary to release funds on 15 October. Key US politics stories from 11 October at a glance

The president's directive would ensure US military personnel don't miss a scheduled paycheque next week.

The White House said more mass layoffs of federal workers are coming, on top of the 4,000 fired last week, as the government shutdown continues.