Trump issues memo on higher pay for national security staff involved with critical minerals

The White House on Friday issued a memorandum authorizing higher pay for roles related to national security investment in areas such as critical minerals.

The move signals the need for the White House to offer higher pay to attract skilled professionals for its efforts to track and obtain critical minerals and advanced materials needed for defense and other strategic industries.

“This action advances the rapid recruitment of the exceptionally skilled investment, engineering, financial, and legal professionals needed to expand the nation’s capacity in critical minerals, advanced materials, and other essential components of our strategic supply chains,” the memo said.

Up to 400 positions will be eligible, according to the White House release.

(By Costas Pitas; Editing by Chris Sanders)