Delays, Setbacks Batter Trump’s Golden Dome Missile Shield

President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome missile defense initiative is facing significant delays, hampered by the 43-day government shutdown and the lack of a clear plan to spend the first $25 billion appropriated for the program this summer, eight sources familiar with the situation told Mike Stone of Reuters.

More critically, the nearly $25 billion earmarked for Golden Dome as part of the budget reconciliation package approved this summer has not been turned into a spending plan detailing exactly how the money will be allocated. (Photo: Israeli Defence Forces X)

The shutdown delayed hiring and pulled crucial personnel away from their normal duties of approving and signing contracts, according to three industry sources and a U.S. official, who, along with other sources, spoke with Reuters on condition of anonymity, fearing reprisals for talking to the press about a program where many aspects are classified as secret.

More critically, the nearly $25 billion earmarked for Golden Dome as part of the budget reconciliation package approved this summer has not been turned into a spending plan detailing exactly how the money will be allocated, two sources from the administration, a source on Capitol Hill, and two industry executives told Reuters.

The setbacks threaten Trump’s promise that the $175 billion program, unveiled on the seventh day of his new administration, will be in place to protect the continental U.S. by 2028.

“I don’t think they have made a lot of progress, but I don’t think it’s going horribly,” one of the U.S. officials told Reuters.