Trump signs defense policy bill that rebuilds military, boosts troop pay

President Trump signed a $716 billion defense bill Monday that authorizes hundreds of new planes, ships and tanks — and delivers a substantial victory to the administration by watering down penalties on a Chinese telecom company.

The law adds thousands of troops to the size of the military, raises pay, modernizes the U.S. nuclear arsenal and lays the groundwork for Mr. Trump’s proposed “space force,” in what the president called “the most significant investment in our military, and in our war fighters, in modern history.”

“After years of devastating cuts, we’re now rebuilding our military like never before,” Mr. Trump said while signing the National Defense Authorization Act at Fort Drum, New York. “Every day our military was fighting for us, and now we’re fighting for you.”