After several fatal accidents caused by using new advanced military technology, Conrad Stu, the U.S. President's Chief of Staff, proposes Tony Stark to work for the U.S. government, helping them in quality control that avoids further accidents. But Tony wants to put his weapons manufacturer past behind. Then as Iron Man and while rescuing soldiers from a U.S. submarine, Captain America tries to make Tony see that sometimes it is right to build weapons. Tony discovers that what made the sub sink was a device of his invention that was incorrectly installed.
Iron Man enters the Pentagon to speak to Sonny Burch, the Under-Secretary for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, who used to work for Obadiah Stane. Burch has been disclosing patented Stark inventions to defense contractors. But, thanks to some quirks in laws and regulations, the government can actually do it.
After such news, Tony Stark goes to speak with the U.S. President (George W. Bush) who wants to name him the next Secretary of Defense.