President Donald Trump announced his proposal for a "Golden Dome" missile defense system in the United States May 20, 2025. (Reuters/Leah Millis/File Photo; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
"In the campaign, I promised the American people that I would build a cutting-edge missile defense shield to protect our homeland from the threat of foreign missile attack. And that's what we're doing today," he said, adding that the Golden Dome "will be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from the other side of the world and even if they are launched from space."
Trump also announced he is placing Space Force Gen. Michael Guetlein in charge of the project, saying, "No one is more qualified for this job."
Hegseth called the Golden Dome a "bold initiative" and another addition to Trump’s "long and growing list of promises made and promises kept."
He said investing in the new system is essential to respond to growing threats from countries like Russia and China.
"Ultimately, this right here, the Golden Dome for America, is a game changer," said Hegseth. "It's a generational investment in the security of America and Americans."
TRUMP'S TOUGH POLICIES PUSH UK, EU TO SIGNIFICANTLY EXPAND TRADE AND DEFENSE
Gen. Michael Guetlein, vice chief of space operations, United States Space Force (Space Force)
The general said "our adversaries have become very capable and very intent on holding the homeland at risk."
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
"While we have been focused on keeping the peace overseas, our adversaries have been quickly modernizing their nuclear forces, building up ballistic missiles capable of hosting multiple warheads, building out hypersonic missiles capable of attacking the United States within an hour and traveling at 6,000 miles an hour, building cruise missiles that can navigate around our radar and our defenses, building submarines that can sneak up on our shores and, worse yet, building space weapons," Guetlein said.
"It is time that we change that equation and start doubling down on the protection of the homeland."
Peter Pinedo is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox
Subscribed
You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-hegseth-announce-game-changer-golden-dome-protect-american-homeland