In a significant departure from naval convention, former President Donald Trump has announced a major new initiative for the United States Navy, centred on a new generation of battleships that will bear his name.
The 'Golden Fleet' and the 'Trump-Class'
During a presentation on Monday, 22 December 2025, Trump unveiled the 'Golden Fleet' initiative. The centrepiece is a proposed new class of warship, to be known as the 'Trump-class'. A concept rendering of the lead vessel, the USS Defiant, was displayed.
Trump claimed these new vessels would be bigger, faster, and a hundred times more powerful than any previous US-built warship. The project is slated to begin with the construction of two such battleships, with an eventual goal of expanding the fleet to between 20 and 25 new vessels.
US Navy Secretary John Phelan offered a bold statement in support of the plan, declaring: "Our adversaries will know, when the Trump-class USS Defiant appears on the horizon, American victory at sea is inevitable." This move breaks with the long-standing tradition of naming battleship classes after US states.
Wider Political Moves and Controversies
The warship announcement was one of several major developments in US politics on Monday. Separately, it was revealed that the Trump administration has quietly recalled nearly 30 ambassadors and other senior diplomats from overseas posts. Diplomatic sources indicate this unusual step, which targeted career foreign service officers, is part of a plan to promote appointees loyal to the administration within the State Department.
In environmental policy, the administration dealt a heavy blow to the offshore wind industry, announcing an immediate pause on all leases for windfarms already under construction. The Department of the Interior cited 'national security risks', specifically potential radar interference, and said it would work with the Department of Defense to address the issue.
Other Key Stories from 22 December
Further significant reports emerged across government and media:
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer stated he would introduce a resolution directing the Senate to take legal action against the Department of Justice over its incomplete release of files related to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention numbers have hit a record high, with data showing more than 68,400 people in custody as of 14 December 2025.
A Guardian investigation found that over 100 organisations supporting human-trafficking survivors have lost funding since October, after the Department of Justice failed to spend nearly $90m allocated by Congress.
CBS News faced internal and external criticism after pulling a 60 Minutes investigation into a harsh prison in El Salvador, where the Trump administration had deported hundreds of Venezuelans.
In international affairs, the prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland demanded respect for their borders after Trump appointed a special envoy to Greenland, a territory he has previously suggested should be under US control.
While Trump unveiled a $12bn aid package for farmers, industry leaders warned that thousands of farms are still expected to go bust this year.
