Electoral battles

Trump: America's 'shoestring' military will be a focus in the coming campaign

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is promising to make rebuilding the military a key focus in the months ahead, saying that the armed forces right now “are being held together by a shoestring.”

In an interview with conservative columnist Cal Thomas released Wednesday, Trump said he’ll talk more about military readiness and shortfalls as his campaign shifts from the Republican primary contests to a showdown with presumed Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

“Our military has been so badly depleted,” he said. “Who would think the United States is raiding plane graveyards to pick up parts and equipment? … Other countries have brand-new stuff they have bought from us. It’s insane.”