Space order sets Moon, missile-defense deadlines
The week’s biggest move came via Executive Order 14369, “Ensuring American Space Superiority,” signed Dec. 18 and published Dec. 23, 2025, which the White House and Pentagon are now implementing heading into 2026. [1]
Key stakeholders include President Donald J. Trump (White House); the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology (APST, White House) tasked with coordinating implementation; NASA Administrator (NASA); the Secretary of Commerce (U.S. Department of Commerce); the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB); the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy (White House); the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (White House); the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI); and the Secretary of War (Department of Defense, per administration nomenclature). [1]
Specific actions and timelines: the order directs a return of Americans to the Moon by 2028 through Artemis, an initial permanent lunar outpost by 2030, and prototype next-generation missile-defense technologies by 2028 tied to Trump’s earlier “Iron Dome for America” order. [1] It also sets a target to attract at least $50 billion in additional investment in U.S. space markets by 2028 and calls for a commercial pathway to replace the International Space Station by 2030. [1]
On process, it mandates NASA and Commerce acquisition reforms within 180 days, prioritizing commercial solutions and tools like Other Transactions Authority and Space Act Agreements, and requires reviews of major programs that are 30%+ behind schedule or 30%+ over cost. [1]
Supporters’ narrative: the administration argues the order aligns civil, commercial, and defense space priorities—accelerating procurement, strengthening allied burden-sharing, and countering emerging threats “from very low-Earth orbit through cislunar space,” including potential nuclear weapons in space. [1]
Opponents’ concerns: critics are expected to focus on the order’s revocation of the 2021 National Space Council executive order and its push to revise space traffic management language to enable “commercial and other relevant use,” raising questions about governance, safety, and commercialization of public space services. [1]
DOJ expands DEI scrutiny using the False Claims Act
In a separate escalation, the Department of Justice under Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche opened civil investigations into corporate DEI practices using the False Claims Act, traditionally aimed at billing fraud by government contractors. [2]
Supporters’ narrative: DOJ’s rationale is that contractors should not certify compliance while allegedly using hiring or promotion systems that violate federal rules tied to government business, framing the effort as anti-fraud enforcement. [2]
Opponents’ narrative: business and civil-rights critics argue the approach is a novel—and potentially chilling—reinterpretation of a fraud statute to police workplace policies, inviting litigation over statutory fit and evidentiary standards. [2]
Courts press due-process challenges in Venezuela deportation fight
Finally, a federal judge, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg (U.S. District Court for D.C.), ordered the administration to urgently arrange a plan within two weeks to allow hundreds of Venezuelans deported to El Salvador to challenge removals in U.S. courts, after deportations tied to Trump’s Alien Enemies Act invocation targeting alleged Tren de Aragua members. [3]
Supporters’ narrative: the administration has argued the wartime statute enables swift removals of alleged gang-linked migrants without standard procedures in the interest of public safety. [3]
Opponents’ narrative: detainees, families, and human-rights advocates say many had no gang ties and were denied due process, with the court finding the expulsions violated constitutional protections. [3]
Sources
[1] Federal Register — Executive Order 14369, “Ensuring American Space Superiority” (signed Dec. 18, 2025; published Dec. 23, 2025): https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/23/2025-23845/ensuring-american-space-superiority
[2] The Wall Street Journal — “Justice Department Using Fraud Law to Target Companies on DEI” (Dec. 28, 2025): https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-doj-dei-fraud-investigations-93213d52
[3] Reuters — “Venezuelans held in Salvadoran prison look to challenge deportation in US court” (Dec. 26, 2025): https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/venezuelans-held-salvadoran-prison-look-challenge-deportation-us-court-2025-12-26/