Trump unveils ‘Golden Dome’ missile shield, blindsides key senators

The “Golden Dome” missile defense project, revealed by President Donald Trump on Tuesday, was not known to many lawmakers in Capitol Hill before the announcement. Several senators disclosed that they were not briefed on the costs of the project, with some not even aware of its existence. Senator John Kennedy from Louisiana expressed his reluctance to support the project without knowing the cost figures.

Trump’s proposal, likened to Israel’s Iron Dome, has a projected cost of $125 billion and a three-year timeline, set to be completed by the end of his term. A funding bill in Congress includes $25 billion for the initial phase of the project. However, experts and some Republican allies anticipate the final cost to exceed the initial estimates significantly.

Sen. Tim Sheehy from Montana cautioned that replicating Israel’s Iron Dome on a larger scale for the U.S. presents significant technological challenges and could escalate the costs into the trillions. The Congressional Budget Office estimated the project could cost around $500 billion, with some suggesting the figure could be even higher.

Despite concerns about the project’s cost and technical challenges, some Republican lawmakers believe the potential benefits, including enhancing national security and preventing conflicts, justify the investment. The Golden Dome system aims to intercept missiles targeting the U.S. using space-based interceptors and ground-based systems.

Supporters of the project argue that advancements in technology have made missile defense more cost-effective, challenging long-standing strategic assumptions. They believe investing in missile defense is crucial for protecting American lives in an era of nuclear proliferation and evolving threats.