Trump Reinstates Alabama as US Space Command Headquarters, Sparking Bipartisan Outcry
HUNTSVILLE, AL & COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – January 16, 2024 – Former President Donald Trump has directed the relocation of US Space Command headquarters to Huntsville, Alabama, reversing a decision made by the Biden administration to maintain its location in Colorado Springs. The move, announced Tuesday, is projected to bring approximately 1,600 direct jobs to the Huntsville area, bolstering an already significant aerospace and defense industry presence.
Huntsville is home to facilities for United Launch Alliance (ULA) and Blue Origin, both involved in rocket and engine manufacturing. NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and the Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command are also located at Redstone Arsenal. The Air Force initially selected Huntsville in 2021,citing its merits as the optimal location.
The decision has ignited strong reactions from Colorado’s congressional delegation – six Democrats and four Republicans – who released a joint statement expressing thier “disappointment” and vowing to “fight to reverse this decision.” Thay argued the relocation “will directly harm our state and the nation” and “weakens our national security at the worst possible time,” emphasizing that colorado Springs is already “fully operational.”
“Moving Space Command would not result in any additional operational capabilities than what we have up and running in Colorado Springs now,” the delegation stated.
Alabama lawmakers, however, celebrated the declaration.Representative Robert Aderholt (R-Alabama) stated,”President Biden reversed that decision based on politics. This wrong has been righted and Space Command will take its place among Huntsville’s world-renowned space, aeronautics, and defense leaders.”
Colorado Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, called for “full transparency” from the Trump administration regarding the decision’s details. He also expressed hope that Colorado would continue to be considered for future military missions, including the proposed “Golden Dome” homeland missile defense system.
The move is expected to generate indirect economic benefits for Huntsville, a prospect Colorado lawmakers fear will come at the expense of businesses and workers in Colorado Springs.
