Donald Trump’s broadside against the defense industry might sound like a populist cry targeting wealthy CEOs. But the president’s tirade was actually building for months, according to industry executives and administration officials, as top Pentagon officials grew frustrated with an industry that’s failed to deliver vital weapons’ systems on time and on budget. His chastising of major contractors’ slow production has resonated with lawmakers in both parties and in emerging tech companies, who have decried the plodding, calcified nature of the process — even if Trump’s anger can do little to change the system. If he wants better performance, industry insiders say, he needs to stop jawboning about CEO pay and let the Pentagon reform government contracting to allow more flexible purchases and start-ups.
The one issue where Democrats think Trump is right – POLITICO
