Former President Donald Trump has announced his intention to establish a Space National Guard and deploy an Iron Dome missile defense system around the United States if he wins the next election.
Speaking at the National Guard Association of the United States conference in Detroit, Michigan, on August 26th, the Republican presidential candidate praised the creation of the Space Force, the sixth branch of the U.S. military. This branch was established in 2019 during Trump’s administration to safeguard America’s assets in space from threats posed by other nations.
“One of the achievements I am most proud of from my first term was the creation of the Space Force, the first new branch of the armed forces in 70 years,” Trump declared. “And now, I believe it’s time to form a Space National Guard, which would serve as the primary combat reserve of the U.S. Space Force.”
Trump’s proposal was met with enthusiastic applause from the conference attendees, to which he responded with gratitude.
“Therefore, if I am elected president, I will sign historic legislation to establish the Space National Guard. The Space Force is of critical importance,” he added.
The former U.S. president also vowed to deploy a missile defense system akin to Israel’s Iron Dome, capable of intercepting short-range missiles over U.S. airspace.
“We will build an Iron Dome system to protect the skies across America. The late President Ronald Reagan envisioned a similar plan many years ago, but at that time, we lacked the technology. Now, however, the technology exists, and we can make it happen,” Trump stated.
The Republican presidential candidate has frequently declared his ambition to create an Iron Dome-style defense system to protect the United States. During last year’s campaign trail, he boldly proclaimed his intention to construct “the greatest shield” ever, citing America’s numerous adversaries.
However, experts caution that the Iron Dome, designed primarily to counter short-range threats like rockets and drones, may not be as effective against long-range ballistic missiles. Given America’s geographical position, nestled between Canada and Mexico, the U.S. is unlikely to face short-range threats, which diminishes the potential effectiveness of an Iron Dome-style system, according to military analysts.
Back in May, several experts noted that while a U.S. version of the Iron Dome could be different and potentially more costly, it may offer limited utility in intercepting short-range missiles. They suggested that a more practical approach would be to enhance America’s missile defense with a multi-layered system, integrating the existing protective measures already deployed across the country.
In his speech, Trump also took aim at President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, accusing them of causing “a catastrophic loss of American credibility and respect” during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. He pointed to the deadly bombing at Kabul airport, which claimed the lives of U.S. servicemen during the withdrawal, calling it “the most disgraceful day in American history.”
The U.S. military first entered Afghanistan in 2001 to topple the Taliban, sparking the longest and most expensive war in the nation’s history, with nearly $2.3 trillion spent over 20 years. Throughout his presidency, Trump repeatedly ordered troop reductions in Afghanistan.
In 2020, the Trump administration signed a deal with the Taliban, stipulating the complete withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan in exchange for the Taliban’s counter-terrorism assurances. The U.S. agreed to gradually draw down troops, aiming for a complete withdrawal within 14 months, provided the Taliban honored their commitments.
President Joe Biden later argued that this agreement contributed to the collapse of Afghan security forces, paving the way for the Taliban’s resurgence.
The Taliban launched a lightning-fast military campaign, swiftly seizing control of much of Afghanistan. This rapid advance forced President Biden to order an urgent withdrawal of U.S. forces. On August 15, 2021, the Taliban entered Kabul unopposed, securing full control of Afghanistan.
Amid the chaos of the U.S. withdrawal, a suicide bombing by the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS) at Kabul International Airport claimed 180 lives, including 13 American soldiers.
