President Donald Trump recently announced his administration was taking initial steps in designing and building a missile defense system or 'dome' for the continental US.
Last January, President Trump signed an executive order mandating that the Department of Defense (DOD) create a system to intercept aerial projectiles launched at the US.
Citing similar failed initiatives in the past, such as President Ronald Reagan’s programs to defend the US from nuclear attacks, Trump claimed it was time to create an effective missile defense program.
Alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in the Oval Office, Trump named the new missile defense system America’s ‘Golden Dome’ and claimed it would be operational before the end of his term.
“In the campaign I promised the American people I would build a cutting-edge missile defense shield to protect our homeland from the threat of foreign missile attack,” said Trump. “Today I am pleased to announce we have officially selected architecture for this state-of-the-art system."
The missile defense system is estimated to cost an initial $175 billion-plus hundreds more in maintenance.
Republican lawmakers have largely supported the investment, arguing it is a matter of national security.
“We’re going to build a big, beautiful Golden Dome,” said Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).
Supporters of the dome further allege the proliferation of nuclear weapons across the world and the advancement of hypersonic missiles require the creation of a missile defense system.
Hudson Institute military expert Rebecca Heinrichs lauded the idea, explaining it would deter attacks on US critical infrastructure.
“Trump is particularly right about the need to upgrade the U.S. missile defense shield by adding an interceptor layer,” said Heinrichs.
Conversely, Democrats have raised concerns over cost and potential conflicts of interest regarding the private companies that the government will select to build the dome.
Senate Democrats recently penned a letter, for example, requesting the DOD’s Inspector General to investigate SpaceX’s role in developing the dome.
Given Elon Musk’s control of SpaceX and his privileged position within the Trump administration, the letter calls for the IG to investigate to ensure Golden Dome funds will not “enrich Mr. Musk and other elites.”
