Trump, in reversal, calls on the Pentagon to increase its budget demand to 750 billion dollars: reports



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Last week, Trump said in a tweet that the current Defense Department (DOD) budget of $ 716 billion is "crazy." federal agencies.

"It's 750 [billion]," an official in charge of the administration told Politico. "Secretary Mattis assured this at a luncheon with the President – it's the top line." CNN confirmed the report.

Mattis and other senior defense officials have requested a $ 733 billion budget for the 2020 fiscal year, with the president presenting a $ 700 billion budget. This number is now considerably higher, reported Politico and CNN.

"The president fully supports the national defense strategy and continues the rebuilding of the army," CNN told an administration official. "With the help of Senator Inhofe and President Thornberry, President Trump has accepted an additional budget of $ 750 billion."

The White House, Pentagon and Inhofe did not immediately respond to The Hill's requests for comment.

The $ 750 billion figure has not yet been officially announced. Politico reports that the Pentagon is continuing its advance with a proposal of 733 billion dollars.

"We were discussing with POTUS how to get $ 733 billion. to 750 billion dollars as a bargaining tactic, "a source familiar with the talks told Politico. "That said, the president is constantly changing his mind."

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