Trump Announces New Military Initiative?

President Trump is expected to name Gen. Michael Guetlein, the Space Force’s vice chief of space operations, to lead the Golden Dome project, according to a defense official, a White House official, and another individual familiar with the decision.

The announcement follows an executive order signed by Trump in January that launched the development of a multi-layered homeland missile defense system. The initiative is designed to integrate existing Pentagon technologies with new capabilities, including space-based sensors and weapons systems.

The administration’s push to advance Golden Dome comes amid growing concerns within the intelligence community about evolving missile threats to the U.S. A recent report by the Defense Intelligence Agency warned that both China and Russia are building advanced hypersonic missile systems intended to bypass current air defense capabilities. Officials project that by 2035, the two countries could collectively possess up to 5,000 land-attack cruise missiles capable of targeting large areas of the continental United States.

Skepticism from Democratic lawmakers has followed the project’s rollout. Speaking at a security summit, Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona noted that the U.S. already maintains 44 missile interceptors in California and Alaska, and questioned whether a broader system could deliver on its promise. He expressed doubts about the feasibility and reliability of building a nationwide defense architecture. “To build a system over the entire country would be incredibly hard,” he said. “And we’re not sure it’s going to work.”

Past administrations have examined expanding missile interceptor coverage to the East Coast but abandoned the idea due to the high costs and extended timelines required for completion.

This administration insists that Golden Dome is a different approach. Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations, Gen. Chance Saltzman, the Space Force’s top officer, said the system isn’t a single, massive shield but rather a layered network that unifies various defense assets through a central software backbone.

Saltzman explained that much of the technology already exists, but what’s needed is better integration and coordination. “Golden Dome is allowing us to conduct a more holistic mission analysis,” he said. “Where are the gaps? What needs improvement? And how do we become more credible in defending the homeland?”