President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday to create a large-scale, multilayered missile defense system to better protect the United States and its citizens from growing global threats including ballistic, hypersonic, and advanced cruise missiles.
Trump announced the order at House Republicans’ annual policy retreat and pointed to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth as the perfect official to implement the defense system.
“He’s what we need to immediately begin the construction of a state-of-the-art Iron Dome missile defense shield, which will be able to protect Americans,” said Trump. “You know, we protect other countries, but we don’t protect ourselves. And when Ronald Reagan wanted to do it many years ago, luckily we didn’t. We didn’t have the technology then. It was a concept, but we didn’t. Now we have phenomenal technology. You see that with Israel, where out of 319 rockets they knocked down just about every one of them. So I think the United States is entitled to that. And everything will be made right here in the USA, 100%.”
BREAKING: President Trump announces a slate of NEW Executive Orders
— Direct Defense Secretary to immediately begin the construction of an 'Iron Dome' system
— Get transgender ideology OUT of our military
— Stop service members from being indoctrinated with CRT
— Offer… pic.twitter.com/PVPe15M0DG— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) January 27, 2025
One lawmaker who has been pushing for such a system is U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville). In a statement on X, the Congressman praised Trump for the decision to issue the executive order and emphasized that his district stands ready to assist.
“Thank you President Trump for taking this step! It’s past time the missile defense of the U.S. homeland is made a priority in policy objectives AND budget items! I look forward to working with @POTUS and @PeteHegseth to ensure this priority becomes a reality,” Strong said. “North Alabama and @TeamRedstone lead the nation in missile defense — we stand ready to answer the call!”
Thank you President Trump for taking this step! It's past time the missile defense of the U.S. homeland is made a priority in policy objectives AND budget items! I look forward to working with @POTUS and @PeteHegseth to ensure this priority becomes a reality. North Alabama and…
— Dale W. Strong (@RepDaleStrong) January 27, 2025
The order specifically accelerates the development and deployment of Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor Layers, proliferated space-based interceptors, a Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, capabilities to defeat salvoes prior to launch, non-kinetic missile defense capabilities, and underlayer and terminal-phase intercept capabilities. Additionally, it secures the supply chains for all components of the Iron Dome.
It also directs a review of theater missile defense posture to defend United States troops deployed abroad and an increase in cooperation on missile defense technology development, capabilities, and operations with partners and allies.
Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
