A defense official told CNN that they believe the administration was concerned about DOT&E conducting independent oversight of Golden Dome, and the problems it might uncover in the process.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reassured allies in the Indo-Pacific on Saturday that they will not be left alone to face increasing military and economic pressures from China. He said Washington will bolster its defenses overseas to counter what the Pentagon sees as rapidly developing threats by Beijing,

“No one should doubt America’s commitment to our Indo-Pacific allies and partners,” Mr. Hegseth said, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual security forum in Singapore.