Retired Gen. James Mattis punted Thursday when asked how he will handle defense industry if President-elect Trump continues discussing defense acquisition matters on Twitter after inauguration.
Trump’s pick to be the next defense secretary told the Senate Armed Services Committee that it’s not his role to comment on Trump’s tweets.
“I believe it shows he is serious about getting the best bang for the dollar when it comes to defense dollars, and that is where I find common ground with him,” Mattis said. “I see his statements about [the] cost of certain defense programs has shown his serious side about keeping these costs under control.”
Mattis was responding to questions from Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, who criticized Trump for expressing his views and opinions on Twitter about major defense acquisition projects and the legally binding contracts that go with them.
While Hirono said she too is committed to using U.S. tax dollars in the most effective way, “I don’t think that this is the best way to get that point across.”
Trump has repeatedly taken on expensive defense programs on Twitter, including Air Force One from Boeing and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter from Lockheed Martin. Trump most recently mentioned the F-35 in his press conference Wednesday when he promised “big things” for both the F-35 and the F/A-18 Super Hornet from Boeing.
Industry leaders have urged companies not to overreact to Trump’s tweets, but they do have an immediate, visible impact on company’s stocks.
While Trump has focused much of his criticism of defense industry on the “out of control” cost of the F-35, Mattis said Thursday that the president-elect understands how the program is “critical” to the air superority of both the U.S. and international partners.
“He has in no way shown a lack of support for the program, he just wants the most bang for his buck,” Mattis said.
The former general also talked about the need for alliances, including working with partners, including Norway and the United Kingdom, who are depending on the next-generation aircraft.
“Many of our allies have bet their air superiority on the F-35 program and it bonds us tightly together with them,” Mattis said.
Nine international allies, as well as the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force, are partnering to develop the F-35.
