President Donald Trump announced plans for what he called the \u201cGolden Dome,\u201d a multi-layered system designed to shield the United States from missile attacks using land, sea, and space-based technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The announcement on Tuesday came during a press briefing at the Oval Office that included Secretary Pete Hegseth, General Mike Guetlein of the U.S. Space Force, and Republican senators Dan Sullivan, Kevin Cramer, and Jim Banks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
President Trump said the Golden Dome system will integrate next-generation interceptors and sensors and will be \u201cfully operational before the end of my term.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe will truly be completing the job that President Reagan started 40 years ago,\u201d Trump said. \u201cThe success rate is very close to 100 percent. When you think of it, you’re shooting bullets out of the air.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The proposed defense shield would be capable of intercepting hypersonic, ballistic, and cruise missiles\u2014including threats launched from space\u2014using new American-made systems. Trump said the project will begin with a $25 billion investment as part of a broader $175 billion funding plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
General Guetlein was named the direct reporting program manager for the initiative. A decorated four-star general, he currently serves as Vice Chief of Space Operations and was praised as \u201cthe only man for the job\u201d by Trump and senior lawmakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhile we\u2019ve been focused on keeping the peace overseas, our adversaries have been quickly modernizing their nuclear forces,\u201d Guetlein said. \u201cIt is time that we change that equation and start doubling down on the protection of the homeland.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The system will be built entirely in the United States, with manufacturing roles anticipated across several states, including Indiana, Alaska, Florida, and Georgia. Lawmakers said both large defense contractors and emerging tech firms would participate in building the \u201copen architecture\u201d system, enabling a layered defense capable of intercepting threats at multiple stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is a generational investment in the security of America,\u201d said Hegseth. \u201cIt\u2019s a game changer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCanada has called us, and they want to be a part of it,\u201d Trump claimed, noting that talks are underway and that any cooperation would include \u201cpaying their fair share.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When pressed by reporters about concerns that the system could trigger an arms race or prove too costly, Trump dismissed the criticism. \u201cThey\u2019re wrong,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s about as close to perfect as you can have in terms of real production.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also denied reports that military commanders had initially requested the system, saying, \u201cI suggested it and they all said, \u2018We love the idea, sir.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trump said the system is expected to begin phasing in within the next two to three years, with some operational capability coming online early in the timeline. He added that securing funding from Congress has been \u201camazingly easy\u201d due to bipartisan recognition of the threat posed by modern missile technology.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
President Donald Trump announced plans for what he called the \u201cGolden Dome,\u201d a multi-layered system designed to shield the United States from missile attacks using land, sea, and space-based technology. The announcement on Tuesday came during a press briefing at the Oval Office that included Secretary Pete Hegseth, General Mike Guetlein of the U.S. Space […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":54640,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,2],"tags":[3461,3462,3299,101,205,151],"class_list":["post-54624","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics","category-usnews","tag-golden-dome","tag-michael-guetlein","tag-pete-hegseth","tag-trump-administration","tag-u-s-military","tag-united-states"],"yoast_head":"\n