Military procurement

Trump on Defense Spending: When Public Naming Meets Secret Weapons

Donald Trump’s battle to curb overspending on defense by publicly shaming specific companies and projects could prove tougher for him if he turns attention to one of the fastest-growing areas of the military budget—classified programs.

Those are often the riskiest and most complex projects pursued by the Pentagon because of their use of cutting-edge technology that makes them more prone to delays and cost overruns. They also are the most difficult to discuss publicly.

The incoming commander-in-chief will be privy to the progress of secret programs ranging from new nuclear missiles to spy satellites and cyberdefenses, so he would have the ammunition to call out problematic or wasteful programs publicly.