SPACE FORCE!

President Donald J. Trump announced this morning that the Pentagon will be charged with creating a “Space Force” during the National Space Council Meeting.

“Our nation of pioneers still yearns to conquer the unknown, because we are Americans and the future belongs totally to us,” Trump said. “Once more we will summon the American spirit to tame the next great American frontier.”

Trump spoke about defending America with a “dominant” presence in space.  The President does not want “China, Russia, and other countries leading us.”

“I’m hereby directing the Department of Defense and Pentagon to immediately begin the process necessary to establish a Space Force as the sixth branch of the Armed Forces,” he said. “That’s a big statement. We are going the have the Air Force and we are going to have the Space Force. Separate but equal.”

Watch the full speech here:

Trump announced his plans for America to return to the moon and to reach Mars.

Vice President Mike Pence, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, former astronaut Buzz Aldrin and members of his space council joined Trump for his announcement.