Former President Donald Trump announced plans on Monday for the United States Navy to construct a new class of advanced warships, which he described as the largest and most powerful vessels ever built by the service. Speaking from Palm Beach, Florida, Mr. Trump unveiled the initiative, which he dubbed the “Trump-class USS Defiant,” signaling a significant expansion of the nation’s naval capabilities.
The proposed battleships are envisioned as integral to a new “Golden Fleet,” designed to replace the existing Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. Details reportedly shared with The Wall Street Journal suggest each vessel could cost approximately $5 billion and weigh between 30,000 and 40,000 tons. These state-of-the-art ships are expected to incorporate futuristic technologies, including directed energy lasers and railguns, according to U.S. officials.
Mr. Trump asserted that these warships would be “100 times more powerful than any battleships ever built” and would counter threats from “everybody.” This statement offered a broader scope than a Wall Street Journal report, which indicated the new fleet, including recently announced frigates, was the product of a joint Navy-White House effort specifically aimed at countering China’s growing influence. Mr. Trump, however, downplayed the China-specific objective.
The announcement comes amidst an intensifying U.S. military campaign in the Caribbean, targeting small boats suspected of ferrying drugs bound for American shores. This months-long operation, which U.S. officials claim is crucial for national security, has reportedly led to over 100 fatalities. International experts have raised concerns, classifying some actions as extrajudicial killings of alleged criminals and noting potential harm to innocent individuals.
Furthermore, the naval buildup extends to the waters off Venezuela, where U.S. forces have begun interdicting and seizing oil tankers previously sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury for alleged involvement with illicit organizations. Mr. Trump confirmed the U.S. would “keep” these seized vessels and their cargo, though he did not specify whether they would be sold, utilized, or added to the U.S. Strategic Reserve.
The U.S. government maintains that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s administration is controlled by a criminal cartel. This stance persists following the 2024 Venezuelan elections, which many U.S. and international monitors deemed fraudulent. Mr. Trump reiterated his intention to initiate ground operations targeting Venezuelan drug smuggling groups, threatening to expand these operations to any region where drugs are perceived to be “pouring in” to the United States.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who flanked Mr. Trump alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Navy Secretary John Phelan, defended the lethal force employed in the Caribbean. Mr. Hegseth stated, “There are no fishing poles, no fishermen and no fishing boats, just drug dealers and Narco terrorists. And with every strike, we’re saving American lives. No other President is willing to do real deterrence, that’s exactly what’s happening.”
While Mr. Trump did not explicitly call for regime change in Venezuela, a position advocated by some members of his party, such as Senators Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz, he issued a stern warning to President Maduro. “If he plays tough it’ll be the last time he’s ever able to play tough though,” Mr. Trump remarked, indicating a firm stance without directly articulating an aim for Maduro’s removal.
The former president also used the occasion to lament the current state of U.S. shipbuilding, contrasting it with World War II-era production levels. He claimed to have initiated the design consideration for these new battleships during his first term, despite his administration missing naval shipbuilding targets set by the Obama administration. Navy Secretary John Phelan pledged that the Trump administration would “make battleships great again” and construct the “best-looking” ships globally.
This extensive military and naval strategy underscores a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, emphasizing robust deterrence and direct action against perceived threats in the Western Hemisphere. The introduction of these advanced warships and the ongoing operations in the Caribbean and off Venezuela reflect a heightened posture in regional security affairs.
