Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has refuted China’s assertion that the United States’ “Golden Dome” project would transform space into a “war zone.” Speaking to Fox News Digital following a visit to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Secretary Hegseth stated, “All we care about is protecting the homeland.”
He emphasized that President Donald Trump has long prioritized homeland defense as a cornerstone of his “America First” policy, and that the Golden Dome represents a significant, generational investment in this objective.
China’s Foreign Minister Mao Ning had claimed earlier in the week that the Golden Dome possesses a “strong offensive nature and violates the principle of peaceful use in the Outer Space Treaty.” Mao warned that “the project will heighten the risk of turning space into a war zone and creating a space arms race and shake the international security and arms control system,” urging the U.S. to abandon its development and deployment of the global anti-missile system.
President Trump and Secretary Hegseth had previously disclosed some details about the Golden Dome project, outlining an ambitious three-year plan with a budget of $125 billion to complete the missile defense shield.
Secretary Hegseth also addressed recent criticism regarding his decision to initiate a monthly Christian prayer service at the Pentagon. He defended the practice, stating, “We’ve said it very publicly, and we’ve said it very proudly. Appealing to heaven, to God, is a longstanding tradition in our military,” referencing George Washington’s historical practice of prayer with the Continental Army. Hegseth asserted his right to invoke Jesus Christ for protection at the Pentagon, indicating a firm stance against any criticism of this decision.
His remarks followed an address to the 82nd Airborne Division of Army paratroopers during “All-American Week,” where he celebrated the renaming of the North Carolina base back to Fort Bragg from Fort Liberty. “It is Fort Bragg again,” Hegseth announced to enthusiastic applause. While acknowledging that there was “nothing wrong with Fort Liberty,” he expressed a personal preference for the original name.
Secretary Hegseth also responded to critiques questioning his strategic experience for the role of Secretary of Defense, taking a swipe at the media in the process. “Our friends in the fake news media are here,” he noted, before paraphrasing some of the criticism, such as concerns about an Army major leading the Defense Department instead of more senior figures. Hegseth countered this by stating, “One of the critiques was we need somebody that can think strategically, big picture. We can’t have a guy who thinks like the troops, to which I say ‘Hell, yeah, we can have a guy that thinks like the troops.’” He drew on his own experience as a paratrooper to connect with the soldiers, highlighting his familiarity with their experiences.
In a move welcomed by the paratroopers, Secretary Hegseth announced an increase in hazardous duty incentive pay, commonly known as “jump pay.” This will rise from $150 to $200 per month for Army troopers who jump from airplanes. Furthermore, jumpmasters, the senior paratroopers responsible for training and leading jump operations, will see their pay increase from $150 to $300 per month. Secretary Hegseth lauded the paratroopers and jumpmasters for their demanding and often unimaginable work.
According to Gen. Gregory Anderson, head of the 18th Airborne Corps, the Army has maintained approximately 56,756 paid parachutist positions since 2006. This number will be reduced by 20,000 to facilitate the pay increase for those maintaining their jump status. Gen. Anderson explained that limited aircraft availability and resources had led to a “degradation in proficiency,” emphasizing the need to prioritize “really good quality over quantity.”
Discussion about this post