In a surprise announcement, former President Donald Trump declared his support for the establishment of a Space National Guard during a speech at the National Guard Association of the United States' annual conference in Detroit. Trump, who touted the creation of the Space Force under his administration as one of his "proudest achievements," argued that the time has come for the Space Force to have its own branch of the Guard.

During his address, Trump emphasized the importance of the Space Force and its need for a dedicated reserve force. He stated, "Now that Space Force is up and running, I agree with your leadership. You want this very badly, but I agree that the time has come to create a Space National Guard as the primary combat reserve of the U.S. Space Force." Trump received applause from the audience as he pledged to sign historic legislation to bring this vision to reality if elected.

Previously, Trump had supported the idea of integrating space-related missions into the Space Force, but the new proposal for a Space National Guard aligns him with National Guard leaders and executives from space-heavy states, who believe that relying on part-time personnel with technical experience would benefit the Space Force. Proponents argue that this approach would address the training, recruiting, and funding challenges faced by space personnel.

The bipartisan proposal to create a Space National Guard has been endorsed and sponsored by lawmakers and top National Guard leaders from states with space missions, including Colorado Representatives Jason Crow (Democrat) and Doug Lamborn (Republican), as well as Democratic Senators Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler from Vice President Kamala Harris' home state of California. However, the Biden administration has opposed creating a separate National Guard specifically for space personnel, citing concerns about cost and bureaucracy.

The announcement by Trump has once again brought the contentious issue of military assets and the Space Force into the spotlight. The Pentagon has proposed shifting Air National Guard units involved in space missions into the Space Force, a move it believes would save money and maintain efficiency. However, this proposal has faced opposition from all 50 state governors and has been watered down in the House. The Senate has aligned with the Biden administration's stance, making the creation of a Space National Guard uncertain.

President of the National Guard Association of the United States, Frank McGinn, praised Trump's commitment to establishing a Space National Guard, stating that it is an ideal supplement for the Space Force. McGinn's statement conveyed the association's long-held belief in the necessity of creating such a force.

While the bipartisan legislation for a Space National Guard has failed to clear the Senate in the past, Trump's support for the proposal could pave the way for its success. He revealed that he had discussed the plans with Senator Marco Rubio, who sponsors the Senate legislation.

Alongside his endorsement of the Space National Guard, Trump seized the opportunity to criticize President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on issues such as the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal and border security. Trump vowed to hold those responsible for the Afghanistan calamity accountable and called for the resignation of senior officials involved in the decision-making process.

As the election approaches, Trump's endorsement of the Space National Guard highlights the diverging opinions on military assets between the two campaigns. With support from prominent lawmakers and National Guard leaders, the proposal has gained momentum, but its fate ultimately rests on the outcome of the upcoming election and potential support from the Senate.