WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – President-elect Donald Trump is expected to move U.S. Space Command from Colorado Springs, Colorado to Huntsville, Alabama according to an interview by Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) on Alabama Radio FM Talk 106.5.
Colorado Springs has been the home of U.S. Space Command since 1985. During Trump’s first term, his administration ordered the move of Space Command from Colorado Springs to Huntsville. President Joe Biden reversed that decision.
Now, Alabama’s congressional delegation is optimistic a new Trump term means the base will move.
“I feel really good about President Trump prioritizing this when he gets back in office,” said Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.). “President Trump selected Alabama because it was the best place when it came down to national security.”
Britt said her state has world class aerospace capabilities. The rockets that took astronauts to the moon were built in Huntsville.
“There’s no doubt Huntsville, Alabama is the best place,” said Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.).
Lawmakers from Colorado argue Space Command should remain in Colorado Springs.
“As the world becomes more dangerous, we cannot afford any lapse in combat readiness,” said Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.). “Moving an FOC combatant command would unavoidably cause such a lapse.”
Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) said his state’s workforce is another strength. The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade said Colorado ranks #1 per capita in aerospace employment.
“We cannot risk losing those highly skilled workers with a move and having to rebuild that over a 4-to-5-year period,” Crow said.
Rogers told the Alabama radio station he expects Trump will move Space Command during his first week in office.