{"id":12365,"date":"2019-03-20T19:46:44","date_gmt":"2019-03-20T19:46:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/c4isrnet\/uncategorized\/2019\/03\/20\/ig-launches-investigation-into-shanahan-over-alleged-boeing-bias\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T05:34:55","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T05:34:55","slug":"ig-launches-investigation-into-shanahan-over-alleged-boeing-bias","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/c4isrnet\/cyber\/2019\/03\/20\/ig-launches-investigation-into-shanahan-over-alleged-boeing-bias\/","title":{"rendered":"A government watchdog is investigating Trump\u2019s defense secretary. Here\u2019s why."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Department of Defense Inspector General announced Wednesday it had initiated an investigation<\/a> into Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan over reports that he has disparaged competing defense companies to the potential benefit of his former firm, Boeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a statement announcing the investigation, IG spokeswoman Dwrena Allen said the agency \u201cdecided to investigate complaints we recently received that Acting Secretary Patrick Shanahan allegedly took actions to promote his former employer, Boeing, and disparage its competitors, allegedly in violation of ethics rules.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last week, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed an ethics complaint<\/a> asking the IG to investigate the claims against Shanahan, to include reports that the acting defense secretary touted Boeing\u2019s line of aircraft over rival Lockheed Martin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Previous news reports indicated that Shanahan has disparaged <\/a>Lockheed Martin\u2019s fighter, the F-35, and other Lockheed weapons systems in private Pentagon meetings. In January, Politico reported that Shanahan called the F-35 \u201cf—ed up\u201d and reportedly said Lockheed \u201cdoesn\u2019t know how to run a program.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have informed him that we have initiated this investigation,\u201d Allen said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan goes before the Senate Armed Services Committee to discuss the Department of Defense budget, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 14, 2019. (J. Scott Applewhite\/AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Shanahan spokesman Army Col. Joseph Buccino Shanahan welcomed the review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShanahan has at all times remained committed to upholding his ethics agreement filed with the DoD,\u201d Buccino said. \u201cThis agreement ensures any matters pertaining to Boeing are handled by appropriate officials within the Pentagon to eliminate any perceived or actual conflict of interest issue with Boeing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t