President-elect Donald Trump has put forth the idea of banning the defense industry from hiring former Pentagon contracting officials, just days after creating a stir in the defense industry by saying Boeing’s contract for an Air Force One replacement should be cancelled.
According to a Reuters news service report, Trump told a rally in Baton Rouge, Louisiana that “I think anybody that gives out these big contracts should never ever, during their lifetime, be allowed to work for a defense company, for a company that makes that product.”
He added he would “check this out” before making any final decisions, but went on to slam the F-35 joint strike fighter program as “totally, totally, like, uncontrollably over budget.”
If such a ban were put forth, it could create a major roadblock for the Pentagon to attract acquisition talent, as many people may choose not to go into that career field and be unable to enter industry at a latter date.
