In a significant move to bolster America's maritime dominance, President Donald Trump, alongside Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, unveiled plans for a new series of "Trump Class" battleships.
The announcement, which also featured remarks from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, marks a major initiative to revitalize the maritime industry.
According to RedState, the President, surrounded by images of the first Golden Fleet battleship, "The U.S.S. Defiant," expressed his approval of the Navy's plan to commence construction on these new battleships. "Very large, the largest we've ever built... battleships," Trump said. He compared the new class to the iconic Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Alabama battleships, asserting that the new vessels would be larger and 100 times more powerful.
"There's never been anything like these ships. These have been under design consideration for a long time," he added.
Trump's vision for the new battleships is not solely rooted in national security concerns. He also emphasized the economic benefits of the initiative, stating, "The construction will create thousands of American jobs," and could potentially stimulate corporations to rejuvenate naval shipyards of yesteryears. The President lamented the neglect of this "incredible capability," calling it a "tragedy."
In addition to the battleships, Trump announced plans to increase the number of aircraft carriers and transition to a different class of carrier. The initial plan is to construct two battleships, starting with the U.S.S. Defiant, and eventually expand to a fleet of 10.
Secretary of War Hegseth, in his remarks, praised the President's commitment to "real deterrence." He stated, "Mr. President, you're exactly right, there are no fishing poles, no fisherman, and no fishing boats. Just drug dealers and narcoterrorists, and with every strike, we're saving American lives." Hegseth also lauded the President's investment in "peace through strength," asserting that Trump's actions were restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding the military, and reestablishing deterrence.
Secretary of the Navy John Phelan echoed Hegseth's sentiments, declaring the day as "very consequential." He stated, "The future Trump-class battleship, the U.S.S. Defiant, will be the largest, deadliest, and most versatile -- and best looking warship anywhere on the world's oceans." Phelan thanked the President for his vision and commitment to enhancing the capabilities of the United States Navy.
Phelan also underscored the importance of shipbuilding in winning wars and reigniting the industrial base. He stated, "Logistics wins war, and that kind of shipbuilding is the spark that will ignite the industrial base and help power the commercial shipbuilding that the president has called for."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio concluded the speeches, praising the President's initiative as a "phenomenal presentation." He highlighted the generational impact of the initiative, not just in terms of enhancing American war power and protecting the seas, but also in rebuilding American industrial capacity.
In response to questions about the timeline for the project, President Trump stated that construction would begin immediately, with the U.S.S. Defiant expected to be built within a two-year window. This ambitious timeline underscores the administration's commitment to restoring America's maritime dominance and industrial power, while also creating thousands of jobs and revitalizing the naval shipyards.
The initiative, as Secretary Rubio noted, will have a generational impact, ensuring that future Americans will continue to benefit from the President's vision and investment.
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