President Donald Trump announced that U.S. Space Command will be located in Alabama, reversing a Biden-era decision to keep it at its temporary headquarters in Colorado.
The long-expected decision from Trump caps a four-year tug of war between two states and opposing administrations about where to locate U.S. Space Command, an intense fight because the headquarters would be a significant boon to the local economy. Alabama and Colorado have long battled to claim Space Command, with elected officials from both states asserting their state is the better location.
“The U.S. Space Command headquarters will move to the beautiful locale of a place called Huntsville, Alabama, forever to be known from this point forward as Rocket City,” said Trump, flanked by Republican members of Alabama’s congressional delegation, from the Oval Office on Tuesday. “We had a lot of competition for this and Alabama’s getting it.”
Other news we’re following today:
- Military lawyers will serve as immigration judges: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has approved sending up to 600 military lawyers to the Justice Department to serve as temporary immigration judges, according to a memo dated Aug. 27 and reviewed by The Associated Press. The military will begin sending groups of 150 attorneys — both military and civilians — to the Justice Department “as soon as practicable.”
- Trump will announce Space Command move: U.S. Space Command will be located in Alabama, reversing a Biden-era decision to keep it at its temporary headquarters in Colorado, according to a person familiar with the announcement. The 2 p.m. ET meeting, listed only as “an announcement” on the president’s public schedule, led to broad speculation from Americans skeptical of the president’s physical health.
- Chicago mayor pushes back on planned military crackdown: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order to counter the administration’s plan to send federal officers into the city. The order directs city departments to protect residents’ constitutional rights. It prevents the Chicago Police Department from collaborating with federal authorities on patrols, immigration enforcement, or conducting traffic stops and checkpoints. The order also restricts officers from wearing face coverings to hide their identities.
