Get PolitiFact in your inbox.
Promises about Military on Trump-O-Meter
End the defense sequester
“As soon as I take office I will ask Congress to fully eliminate the defense sequester and will submit a new budget to rebuild our military. It is so depleted. We will rebuild our military.”
Keep Guantanamo Bay Detention Center open
“We’re going to keep, as you know, Gitmo, we’re keeping that open."
Bring back waterboarding
“I would bring back waterboarding, and I’d bring back a hell of a lot worse than waterboarding,”
Increase the size of the U.S. Army to 540,000 active duty soldiers
“We will build an active army around 540,000 as the army’s Chief of Staff has said he needs desperately and really must have to protect our country.”
Rebuild the Marine Corps to 36 battalions
"We will build a Marine Corps based on 36 battalions, which the Heritage Foundation notes is the minimum needed to deal with major contingencies – we have 23 now."
Provide the U.S. Air Force with 1,200 fighter aircraft
"We will build an Air Force of at least 1,200 fighter aircraft, which the Heritage Foundation again has shown to be needed to execute current missions."
Rebuild the U.S. Navy toward the goal of 350 ships
"We will build a Navy of 350 surface ships and submarines as recommended by the bipartisan National Defense Panel."