The planned relocation was decided against mainly to avoid disruption; if the Command were moved to Huntsville, the new headquarters would reportedly not be ready until after 2030. But others believe there might be an ulterior motive for choosing Democratic Colorado over Republican Alabama. (Trump claimed he was "single-handedly" responsible for putting the Command in the Red state).

Alabama senator Tommy Tuberville (pictured) has argued that bypassing Republican states "looks like blatant patronage politics." He's previously clashed with Democrats over plans to help troops seek reproductive healthcare as abortion becomes increasingly criminalized in Alabama.

The reversal has been hailed as a win by Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder, however, who said: "Locating Headquarters US Space Command in Colorado Springs ultimately ensures peak readiness in the space domain for our nation during a critical period." However, with Republican lawmakers still vocally opposing the decision, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Mike Rogers has warned: "This fight is far from over."

Donald Trump's oil leases plus other presidential projects canceled by Biden