Airplane Grounding Tests Boeing's Influence In Washington

A federal order grounding all 737 Max jetliners in the U.S. comes after repeated assurances from the manufacturer that the planes are safe.

Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg made that argument Tuesday in a telephone call with President Trump. The call is indicative of the direct line the aerospace giant has long enjoyed with the highest reaches of power in Washington — a connection that is being tested following two deadly plane crashes.