JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MARYLAND — Flanked by two F-35 fighter jets and in front of a giant American flag, President Trump on Friday signed the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act that officially created the Space Force, the sixth and first new military branch since 1947.
“For the first time since Truman, we will create a brand new American military service,” Trump said. “You will witness the birth of the Space Force. That’s a big moment and we’re all here for it.”
The creation of the Space Force marked the achievement of one of the president’s top national priorities.
“Space is the world’s newest warfighting domain,” Trump added. “American superiority in space is absolutely vital.”
The new branch will reside inside the Air Force.
Georgia father arrested after leaving children at McDonald’s for job interview, sparking debate
American Airlines flight to Tokyo from NYC diverted to Texas for ‘maintenance issue’
Man charged with making threats against ICE agents, DHS Sec Kristi Noem in ‘alarming’ social media posts
SCOOP: White House rallies House GOP on Trump tariff plan in secret call
Fox News ratings surge in first quarter of 2025 with help from The Five and Special Report
‘False’: Trump admin rebukes claims intel officials are frequently using Signal to send classified info
It’s Official: Liberation Day Is Here, And the List of Tariffs Is a MAGA Dream Come True
Every Wisconsin county shifted left in state Supreme Court race
Kid Rock Confirms What Happened When Donald Trump Met Bill Maher: ‘Blew My Mind’
Supreme Court divided over state effort to defund Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood Attempts to Play Victim After Handing Out Sexually Explicit Books to 8-Year-Olds
Amazon Makes Surprise Bid to Buy Popular Social Media Platform Just Before Deadline: Report
Trump touts return of the ‘American Dream’ in historic tariff announcement
Boston DA considering criminal charges against ICE agent who arrested illegal immigrant during trial
Republicans celebrate decline in border arrests under Trump: ‘Ecstatic’
The president thanked Vice President Mike Pence for his work in helping to establish the Space Force. He also announced the appointment of Air Force Gen. John “Jay” Raymond as Chief of Space Operations. “He will now join the Joint Chiefs,” Trump said.
To mark the historic moment, the president signed the bill inside a giant aircraft hangar at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland surrounded by an audience of several hundred young service members, Pentagon officials, and other distinguished guests.
Applause for Trump — and some whooping, too: pic.twitter.com/S2lN4MubNw
— Kristina Wong 🎄🇺🇸 (@kristina_wong) December 21, 2019
Also in attendance were about a dozen Republican members of Congress: Reps. Mac Thornberry (TX); Joseph Wilson (SC); Mike Rogers (R-AL); Michael Turner (OH); Michael McCaul (TX); Robert Wittman (VA); French Hill (AR); Jack Bergman (MI); Matt Gaetz (FL); Greg Pence (IN); and Michael Waltz (FL).
Georgia father arrested after leaving children at McDonald’s for job interview, sparking debate
American Airlines flight to Tokyo from NYC diverted to Texas for ‘maintenance issue’
Man charged with making threats against ICE agents, DHS Sec Kristi Noem in ‘alarming’ social media posts
SCOOP: White House rallies House GOP on Trump tariff plan in secret call
Fox News ratings surge in first quarter of 2025 with help from The Five and Special Report
‘False’: Trump admin rebukes claims intel officials are frequently using Signal to send classified info
It’s Official: Liberation Day Is Here, And the List of Tariffs Is a MAGA Dream Come True
Every Wisconsin county shifted left in state Supreme Court race
Kid Rock Confirms What Happened When Donald Trump Met Bill Maher: ‘Blew My Mind’
Supreme Court divided over state effort to defund Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood Attempts to Play Victim After Handing Out Sexually Explicit Books to 8-Year-Olds
Amazon Makes Surprise Bid to Buy Popular Social Media Platform Just Before Deadline: Report
Trump touts return of the ‘American Dream’ in historic tariff announcement
Boston DA considering criminal charges against ICE agent who arrested illegal immigrant during trial
Republicans celebrate decline in border arrests under Trump: ‘Ecstatic’
Members of the House at the soon-to -be creation of the #SpaceForce — I see @RepMattGaetz @RepMichaelWaltz @RepJoeWilson: pic.twitter.com/EW7fPqKSuh
— Kristina Wong 🎄🇺🇸 (@kristina_wong) December 21, 2019
The military’s top civilian and uniformed leaders were all in attendance, as well as United States Trade Representative Ambassador Robert Lighthizer and White House adviser and First Daughter Ivanka Trump.
First Lady Melania Trump opened the ceremony with remarks, wishing service members and their families a Merry Christmas.
One airman told Breitbart News it was a “historic moment” to witness the creation of the Space Force.
The NDAA, a yearly bill that authorizes the Pentagon’s budget, also established a 3.1 percent pay raise for members of the military, the largest pay raise in a decade.
The bill also pays for scores of new aircraft, tanks, and ships. It also eliminates the “widow’s tax” for fallen service members and authorizes paid parental leave for federal civilian workers. The bill also allows for members of the military to sue for medical malpractice in cases after 2017.
Georgia father arrested after leaving children at McDonald’s for job interview, sparking debate
American Airlines flight to Tokyo from NYC diverted to Texas for ‘maintenance issue’
Man charged with making threats against ICE agents, DHS Sec Kristi Noem in ‘alarming’ social media posts
SCOOP: White House rallies House GOP on Trump tariff plan in secret call
Fox News ratings surge in first quarter of 2025 with help from The Five and Special Report
‘False’: Trump admin rebukes claims intel officials are frequently using Signal to send classified info
It’s Official: Liberation Day Is Here, And the List of Tariffs Is a MAGA Dream Come True
Every Wisconsin county shifted left in state Supreme Court race
Kid Rock Confirms What Happened When Donald Trump Met Bill Maher: ‘Blew My Mind’
Supreme Court divided over state effort to defund Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood Attempts to Play Victim After Handing Out Sexually Explicit Books to 8-Year-Olds
Amazon Makes Surprise Bid to Buy Popular Social Media Platform Just Before Deadline: Report
Trump touts return of the ‘American Dream’ in historic tariff announcement
Boston DA considering criminal charges against ICE agent who arrested illegal immigrant during trial
Republicans celebrate decline in border arrests under Trump: ‘Ecstatic’
The Senate passed the bill on Thursday, sending it to the president. It authorizes $783 billion for defense spending for fiscal year 2020. The bill was passed on a bipartisan basis, 11-81.
With the bill, Trump declared the rejection of “American decline.” Trump has raised spending for the military to new levels, after a decade of deep cuts under sequestration. He signed a defense bill authorizing $716 billion for the military in 2018, and $700 billion in 2019.
Story cited here.
