Trump's Golden Dome Missile Shield Faces Significant Delays Following Government Shutdown and Budget Challenges

Nov 21, 2025 10:00 pm CST

President Trump's ambitious $175 billion Golden Dome missile defense initiative is experiencing substantial delays due to the 43-day government shutdown and lack of a clear spending plan for the initial $25 billion allocation. Despite a commitment to protect the continental US by 2028, the program faces staffing shortages, architectural uncertainties, and contractor concerns about development costs, particularly for space-based interceptors. Pentagon officials remain secretive about progress while working to integrate early-warning systems against various missile threats.