U.S. President Donald Trump waves to the media on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington before his departure for the annual Army-Navy college football game in Philadelphia, U.S., December 8, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas
Politico: Trump reverses course, tells Pentagon to boost budget request to $750 billion
The president had previously called for a cut in defense spending.
President Donald Trump has told Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to submit a $750 billion budget proposal for fiscal 2020, in a reversal from his pledge to trim defense spending, two people familiar with the budget negotiations have told POLITICO.
The $750 billion figure emerged from a meeting Tuesday at the White House among Trump, Mattis and the Republican chairmen of the House and Senate Armed Services committees, both people said.
“It’s 750. Secretary Mattis secured that over lunch with the president,” an administration official said of the meeting, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss a figure that has not yet been announced. Mattis was joined by Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas). “That’s the top line.”
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WNU Editor: So much for his earlier announcement that he wanted to cut the defense budget. According to reports, Defense Secretary James Mattis and the chairmen of the House and Senate Armed Services committees, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) and Sen. James Inhofe (R-Ok.), convinced him to reverse his decision. What's my take .... I see this as a negotiating tactic with the incoming Democrat Congress.
More News On Reports That The White House Is Telling The Pentagon To Boost The Defense Budget To $750 Billion
Trump, in reversal, calls for Pentagon to raise budget request to $750B: reports -- The Hill
Trump backs $750 billion defense budget request to Congress, says US official -- Reuters/CNBC
Trump commits to $750 billion defense budget -- CNN
Trump Signals $750 Billion National Security Request -- Bloomberg
Trump reportedly told the Pentagon to increase the defense budget to $750 billion after saying he would cut spending by 5% -- Business Insider
Trump to push for higher defense spending despite calls for cuts: Report -- Washington Examiner
