Trump Inks Four New Executive Orders, Including Plans to Build 'Iron Dome'

Above: US Pres. Donald Trump speaks with reporters and signs executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in Washington, DC. Image copyright: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post/Contributor via Getty Images

The Facts

  • US Pres. Donald Trump unveiled four new executive orders targeting America's military on Monday. They were announced at a retreat for Republican lawmakers at Trump's South Florida golf resort, before later being inked aboard Air Force One.

  • The first of the orders instructs the newly confirmed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to submit plans for a "next-generation missile defense shield" — labeled by Trump "the Iron Dome for America" — within 60 days, including the capability to shoot down missiles from space.

  • Such a plan — which became known as "Star Wars" in the 1980s— was first attempted by Pres. Ronald Reagan, but its implementation failed due to technological limitations and spiraling costs.


The Spin

Pro-Trump narrative

Trump's decision to create an Iron Dome for America is about ensuring it stays ahead of its adversaries and can further peace from a position of strength. The other moves will ensure that the US military continues to defend the homeland by continuing to be the most efficient and lethal fighting force.


Left narrative

Trump is continuing with his raft of damaging and wrong-headed executive orders. He has baselessly claimed that transgender people are both medically and morally unfit to serve. Such a move will deplete the military of 15K perfectly capable service members.



Metaculus Prediction




Public Figures


Political split

LEFT

RIGHT

More neutral political stance articles