Amazon Wants Trump to Testify in $10bn Pentagon Contract Lawsuit

Amazon has asked that President Donald Trump give testimony in a lawsuit the internet giant is taking against a decision not to award it a $10 billion contract to provide cloud computing to the Pentagon. Amazon wants depositions from the President as well as Defense Secretary Mark Esper and his predecessor, Jim Mattis.

“President Trump has repeatedly demonstrated his willingness to use his position as president and commander-in-chief to interfere with government functions — including federal procurements — to advance his personal agenda,” an Amazon spokesperson said.

“The question is whether the president of the United States should be allowed to use the budget of the Department of Defense to pursue his own personal and political ends,” Amazon said.

The contract was awarded to Microsoft and the Defense Department claims there was no external influence on the decision. However, President Trump has frequently attacked Amazon boss Jeff Bezos. Bezos owns the Washington Post, which Trump believes is biased against him.

The President has repeatedly used the phrase ‘Amazon Washington Post’ to attack the newspaper and its’ owner. However, it is unclear whether Amazon will succeed in compelling a deposition from Trump. This is an unusual case and the outcome cannot be easily predicted.