Hegseth's decision to shutter DOT&E was at least partially triggered by the office's plans to oversee Golden Dome's test plans, sources told Defense News.

The Chinese military has issued a warning to the United States over President Donald Trump's Golden Dome missile defense program, claiming it would open a "Pandora's box." When asked for a response, the Pentagon referred Newsweek to an earlier statement issued by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth,

It would be the equivalent of us going back 1,000 years and having to start from scratch." In response to these hypothetical - but experts say quite possible - threats, US President Donald Trump has set his eyes on a "next generation" missile shield: the Golden Dome.