House Democrats have expressed frustration with the US military's request for funding for a $17 billion Trump-class battleship. Lawmakers argue that investing in such a project would be a mistake, given the rapid changes in warfare and the importance of uncrewed systems.
Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass, called the battleship a 'boondoggle' and 'the most expensive sitting duck in world history'. He referenced an op-ed by retired Navy Adm. James Stavridis, which argued that battleships are obsolete in the face of modern weapons systems.
The discussion centered around the allocation of $1 billion for the Trump-class battleship in the House's version of the NDAA. An amendment to void this allocation failed, but lawmakers remain opposed to the project, citing its high cost and limited strategic value. The Navy plans to begin construction on the first Trump-class battleship in 2028, with delivery scheduled for the 2030s.
