Colorado sues Trump administration over plans to relocate US Space Command to Alabama’s ‘Rocket City’
**Colorado Attorney General Sues Trump Administration Over U.S. Space Command Relocation**
Colorado’s attorney general is suing the Trump administration over the White House’s plans to move the headquarters of U.S. Space Command from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama.
The White House announced its plan to relocate Space Command headquarters to Alabama at a press event in September 2025. During the event, former President Donald Trump linked the decision to Colorado’s mail-in ballot policy.
“The problem I had with Colorado, one of the big problems, they do mail-in voting, they went to all mail-in voting, so they have automatically crooked elections,” Trump stated.
Colorado, a state won by Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Kamala Harris by 11% in the 2024 presidential election, has responded strongly to the announcement. On Wednesday, October 29, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser announced his decision to sue the administration, citing Trump’s justification as politically motivated and lacking formal basis.
“This decision was not based on any formal criteria. It didn’t follow the statutorily required evaluation process, didn’t have any studies, reviews, or notice. It didn’t offer validation or justification,” Weiser said, according to Colorado Public Radio.
He added, “The Constitution does not permit the Executive Branch to punish or retaliate against states for lawfully exercising powers reserved for them, such as the power to regulate elections,” as reported by Reuters.
**Background on U.S. Space Command and Its Location**
U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM) is responsible for overseeing and distributing space-based capabilities throughout the entire U.S. military. The U.S. Space Force, a distinct branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, trains and equips personnel to “secure our national interests in, from, and to space.” Some Space Force personnel serve within Space Command alongside members of other military branches in space-focused units.
Space Command has been headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base (formerly Peterson Air Force Base) in Colorado Springs since its establishment in 1982. Colorado Springs is also home to Schriever Space Force Base and the U.S. Air Force Academy, which serves as the officer training corps for the Space Force.
**A Controversial Decision**
The original selection of Huntsville, Alabama, as the permanent home for U.S. Space Command was made by the U.S. Air Force in 2021 during Trump’s first term. This move drew criticism from Colorado lawmakers who called it a political decision.
In 2023, former President Joe Biden reversed that decision, citing Gen. James Dickinson, then head of Space Command, who warned that the move would “jeopardize military readiness,” according to the Associated Press. Biden’s reversal was also criticized as politically motivated. Alabama Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville called it “blatant patronage politics.”
**Political Back-and-Forth Continues**
The relocation of U.S. Space Command appears to remain a contentious political issue. During the September 2 press conference announcing the move to Alabama, Trump insinuated that the 2024 election results influenced his decision.
“I am thrilled to report that the U.S. Space Command headquarters will move to the beautiful locale of a place called Huntsville, Alabama, forever to be known from this point forward as ‘Rocket City,’” Trump said. “We love Alabama. I only won it by about 47 points. I don’t think that influenced my decision, right?”
As this political tug-of-war continues, Colorado prepares to challenge the relocation effort in court, questioning the legality and fairness of moving such a critical military command for reasons tied to election politics.
https://www.space.com/space-exploration/colorado-sues-trump-administration-over-plans-to-relocate-us-space-command-to-alabamas-rocket-city
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