Americans still hold their military in high regard, according to the latest Gallup Poll. Gallup’s annual survey of public confidence in major American institutions shows that 73 percent have a great deal or a lot of confidence in the US armed forces. Closest in the ranking are policemen, while the least popular institutions are health maintenance organizations, big business, and Congress. The poll offered more bad news for a beleaguered Presidency: It fell 11 points in the percentage who hold it in high confidence.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.