The Revolving Door
Pentagon officials who became defense lobbyists
Senior defense officials leave government service and become lobbyists for the same contractors they once oversaw. Track the career paths from DOD to K Street, the contracts awarded during their tenure, and the lobbying activity that followed.
The Department of Defense awards billions in contracts
The Pentagon is the world's largest buyer of weapons and military services. Senior officials who oversee contract decisions move between government and the defense industry in a well-documented revolving door.
Federal department overseeing the US military. Awards hundreds of billions in defense contracts annually. The revolving door between the Pentagon and defense contractors is one of the most documented ...
Lockheed Martin dominates defense contracting
Lockheed Martin, the world's largest defense contractor, maintains deep connections to DOD through former officials who become lobbyists and executives. Its PAC is one of the most prolific donors to members of the Armed Services Committees.
Lockheed's PAC funds the appropriators
The Lockheed Martin Employees PAC donates to members of Congress on both sides of the aisle, concentrating on the Armed Services and Appropriations Committees that control defense spending.
Political action committee of Lockheed Martin employees. Consistently the largest defense contractor PAC, contributing millions per cycle to members of the Armed Services and Appropriations committees...
RTX (Raytheon) completes the defense oligopoly
RTX Corporation, formerly Raytheon Technologies, is another top-five defense contractor. Together with Lockheed, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman, these four companies receive the majority of Pentagon contract dollars.
Second-largest defense contractor ($68.9 billion revenue in 2023). Formed from the 2020 merger of Raytheon and United Technologies. Maker of Patriot and THAAD missile systems, Pratt & Whitney engines.
Boeing's dual role — contractor and political donor
Boeing simultaneously holds massive defense contracts and donates heavily to the lawmakers who oversee those contracts. This circular flow of money — from taxpayers to Boeing via contracts, then from Boeing back to Congress via PAC donations — epitomizes the military-industrial complex.