Jan. 22, 2026, 6:00 p.m. ET
- President Trump’s interest in Greenland is tied to a “Golden Dome” missile defense system plan.
- The proposed system is inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome and would defend North America from foreign attacks.
- The Golden Dome project is projected to cost hundreds of billions of dollars and has drawn criticism.
Even though President Donald Trump said there is now a “framework of a future deal” on Greenland, his wish to claim the Arctic island emanates in part from an ambitious plan for a “Golden Dome” missile defense system.
Trump has repeatedly said the US needs Greenland “from the standpoint of national security.”
This occupation of the autonomous territory ruled by Denmark would include assembling sensors and interceptors to potentially defend North America (including Trump’s newest foe, Canada) and other US territories from any possible foreign attacks, including from China and Russia, as the president has frequently mentioned.
Inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome, the Trump administration envisions the United States’ Golden Dome project as a futuristic system, consisting of space and ground technology that stretches across Greenland.
Here’s what to know about Trump’s proposed Golden Dome:
Trump’s focus on a Greenland ‘Golden Dome’
Trump initially mentioned such plans of a dome during his first term in 2019, and at the beginning of his second term last year, but they were largely dismissed.
However, that all changed on Jan. 3 after U.S. forces struck the Venezuelan capital and ousted the country’s leader, Nicolás Maduro. Now, Trump has renewed his vision for the dome and Greenland, which has led European leaders to say it could ruin the longstanding NATO alliance.
Initially called the “Iron Dome for America” by the White House, the proposed U.S. system would mirror Israel’s well-known, multi-layered defense system. Developed in partnership with the United States, Israel’s defense system consists of a collection of interceptors of short-range rockets, shells and mortars.
Collectively, these form a web or “dome” of air defense around the Middle East nation’s roughly 8,500 square miles, about the size of New Jersey.
Trump issued an executive order a week after taking office, ordering the development of the Golden Dome system, and announced on May 20, 2025, he had selected a design for the $175 billion missile defense shield, as well as an initial $25 billion investment and a Space Force leader for the ground- and space-based project.
Yet, independent projections from the Congressional Budget Office noted in a May 2025 report that the project could eventually cost more than $800 billion over the next 20 years.
Trump said the system “should be fully operational before the end of my term,” which will be in 2029.
How would the ‘Golden Dome’ operate?
The Golden Dome plan aims to cover the country with three layers of air defenses, according to written Senate testimony by Northern Command leader Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot. There are sensors to warn of incoming threats, ground-based interceptor missiles to target incoming ballistic missiles and additional systems to handle lower-altitude threats, including hypersonic missiles and enemy drones.
The Golden Dome is also intended to use a network of hundreds of satellites circling the globe to knock out incoming enemy missiles after they lift off from countries such as China, Russia, Iran or North Korea.
The proposal has drawn criticism from experts because of its feasibility and cost, while the aforementioned rivals, Russia and China, have condemned the project. North Korea has also weighed in to oppose the proposed missile shield.
Contributing: Joey Garrison and Davis Winkie, USA TODAY; Reuters.
Terry Collins is a National Correspondent for USA TODAY. You can reach him at tcollins@usatoday.com and on X @terryscollins.
Kathryn Palmer is a politics reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her atkapalmer@usatoday.com and on X @KathrynPlmr. Sign up for her daily politics newsletterhere.
