In a significant departure from long-standing naval convention, former President Donald Trump has announced plans for a new generation of US Navy warships to be named after himself. The proposed 'Trump-class' vessels were unveiled as part of a new 'Golden Fleet' initiative.
A New Class of Warship
During an announcement on Monday 22 December 2025, Trump stated that the new battleships would be bigger, faster, and a hundred times more powerful than any previous US-built warship. The initial phase of the project will involve the construction of two such vessels, with an eventual goal of expanding the fleet to between 20 and 25 new ships.
A concept rendering of the lead ship, the USS Defiant, was displayed during the event. Navy Secretary John Phelan emphasised the projected might of the new class, 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 traditional practice of naming battleship classes after US states, marking a notable shift in Pentagon naming policy.
Other Key Developments in US Politics
The warship announcement was one of several major stories unfolding in Washington on Monday.
In the Senate, Democratic leader Chuck Schumer announced he would introduce a resolution to direct the chamber to take legal action against the Department of Justice. This move is in response to what he termed the incomplete release of files related to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Meanwhile, significant personnel changes are underway at the State Department. Diplomatic sources confirm that the Trump administration has quietly recalled nearly 30 ambassadors and other senior overseas diplomats. The recall is seen as unusual, as it targets career foreign service officers who typically remain in place during an administration transition due to their apolitical stance. Sources indicate the administration plans to promote appointees loyal to it into these higher-level positions.
Policy Shifts and Controversies
Further policy actions announced on Monday include:
- Offshore Windfarm Halt: The Department of the Interior, under Trump's direction, has immediately paused all leases for offshore windfarms already under construction. Citing "national security risks" related to potential radar interference, the move deals a heavy blow to the renewable energy industry.
- Immigration Detention Record: Data from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shows the number of people in immigration detention hit an all-time high of more than 68,400 as of 14 December 2025.
- Funding Crisis for Trafficking Survivors: A Guardian investigation found that over 100 organisations supporting victims of human trafficking have lost funding since October. The Department of Justice's failure to spend nearly $90m appropriated by Congress is reportedly impeding investigations and putting survivors at risk.
In other news, CBS News faced internal and external criticism after pulling a 60 Minutes investigation into a harsh Salvadoran prison where the Trump administration had deported hundreds of Venezuelans.
Internationally, the prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland demanded respect for their borders after Trump appointed a special envoy to Greenland, a territory he has repeatedly suggested should be under US control.
