Well I guess the bully pulpit has the Air force cowed and subservient.
thedrive.com

General Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford told the Senate Armed Services Committee today that it was indeed the White House, not the Air Force, that cut the ability to mid-air refuel from the Air Force One replacement program requirements.

Oriana Pawlyk of Military.com broke the story today after Senator Tom Cotton questioned the Pentagon’s top uniformed official on the necessity to be able to keep the aircraft airborne in the event of a nuclear strike. Dunford replied:

“I think that was a decision that was not made by the Air Force, but made by the White House, and I think it had to do with the fiscal constraints on the program… That will certainly be a limiting factor, and we’ll have to plan accordingly.”

The Senator replied:

“I think we may have to revisit that decision here on Capitol Hill.”