Report: Presidentelect Donald Trump expected to move Space Command out of Colorado Springs
Nov 12, 2024
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — An Alabama congressman believes that President-elect Donald Trump will move Space Command out of Colorado Springs, according to a new report by the Washington Examiner.
Trump originally moved Space Command to Huntsville, Alabama in the final days of his first term, while President Joe Biden chose for Space Command to remain at Peterson Space Force Base.
According to the Washington Examiner, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) said on a radio show that, "Trump would settle the dispute as one of his first moves in office." Rogers further explained that the President-elect would sign an executive order to reverse Biden's directive and move it to Huntsville.
FOX21 News reached out to Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade, who released the following statement.
I'd like to congratulate President-elect Trump on his winning campaign. We look forward to engaging with the new administration and transition team and are eager to share the great things underway in Colorado Springs, especially our city's strong history and contributions to national security. We are the proud home of five military installations and have been home to U.S. Space Command since its birth under President Trump in 2019. Since that time, the command has grown from 100 to 1,200 jobs, and in December 2023, it reached full operational capability. Its efforts and excellence are bolstered by the more than 150 aerospace and defense companies in our city, our highly skilled workforce and leading technology and resources. This robust ecosystem is a key factor in the early success of USSPACECOM, and we are committed to working together to support its mission to defend our great nation.
Mayor Yemi Mobolade
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) took to social media on Tuesday morning, Nov. 12, writing in part, "Colorado is the rightful home for Space Command. No matter who is in the White House, I will keep fighting for Colorado’s military community." He continued by writing, "Our state's space and military assets are critical to America's national security, and Colorado is the best place for our service members and their families to train, live, work, and retire."
U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO) of Colorado's 5th Congressional District also released a statement to FOX21 on Tuesday afternoon.
Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs has been the home of Space Command since 1985, and during my 18 years representing Colorado's 5th District, I have fought hard to keep it there. As the Chairman of the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee, U.S. Space Command achieved full operational capability (FOC), joining the nation's ten combatant commands in providing for our common defense.
As the world becomes more dangerous, we cannot afford any lapse in combat readiness. Moving an FOC combatant command would unavoidably cause such a lapse. I’d urge our newly elected officials to consider these matters as they make crucial decisions in the coming months.
U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO)
Rep.-elect Jeff Crank (R-CO) also sent the below comment.
"Americans want a strong military and national security, and that's why they overwhelmingly elected Donald Trump as our next President. To maintain operational readiness, U.S. Space Command headquarters should remain at Peterson Space Force Base. When I am sworn into office in January, I'll work with our Colorado congressional delegation to protect our military assets."
FOX21 will continue to update this article with more statements as they come in.