Trump and Hegseth announce $175B "Golden Dome" missile defense system to protect the U.S. from global threats.

Massive Missile Defense Plan Aims to Shield U.S. Homeland

President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have unveiled an ambitious new missile defense initiative named the “Golden Dome,” aimed at safeguarding the American homeland from growing ballistic and hypersonic threats posed by nations like Russia and China.

Announced during a joint appearance, the project will be funded by $25 billion in initial allocations from the president’s “one big beautiful” budget bill currently under debate in Congress. The full initiative is projected to cost $175 billion, with Trump asserting that the system will be “fully operational before the end of my term.”

“In the campaign, I promised the American people that I would build a cutting-edge missile defense shield,” Trump stated. “The Golden Dome will intercept missiles from across the world, even from space.”

The multi-layered shield draws inspiration from Israel’s Iron Dome, which the U.S. has long supported. However, the Golden Dome will feature more advanced technology, including intercept capabilities for cruise missiles, ballistic and hypersonic weapons, drones, and even space-launched threats.

Leadership and Congressional Support Secured

Trump named Space Force General Michael Guetlein to oversee the project, emphasizing his qualifications and experience in space-based defense systems. “No one is more qualified for this job,” Trump said.

Hegseth, who praised the initiative as a “bold, generational investment,” underscored the urgency of the plan amid increasing global missile proliferation. “Ultimately, this right here, the Golden Dome for America, is a game changer,” he said. “It’s about securing the safety and sovereignty of our nation.”

The Defense Secretary tied the system’s necessity to both past and present threats, referencing the Reagan-era vision for a missile shield and the Biden administration’s perceived failures on border and defense policy. “The technology wasn’t there 40 years ago. Now it is. And this president is making it happen,” Hegseth remarked.

Strategic Threats Drive Homeland Protection Focus

General Guetlein warned that adversaries have advanced significantly in their offensive capabilities. “They’re developing missiles that can reach the U.S. in under an hour, evade radar, and even attack from space,” he said.

He cited the growing arsenals of nuclear warheads, long-range ballistic missiles, stealthy submarines, and space weapons as clear justifications for the program. “It’s time to change the equation. The homeland must be protected,” Guetlein said. “We owe that to our children and our grandchildren.”

With bipartisan interest growing and early phases expected to begin soon, the Golden Dome represents a historic shift in U.S. defense posture—one that could redefine how the nation protects its cities, military assets, and infrastructure in the decades ahead.