So, our beloved, un-elected fearless leader has decided to deploy an expensive missile defense system that doesn't work to "protect" the United States from nuclear attack. If it weren't for all his buddies in the military aerospace field I wouldn't understand at all, particularly since the only three countries with ICBMs aren't likely to attack each other, and it is questionable whether one of them (Russia) could even fire any of its weapons. The real nuclear threat (other than from the White House) is from a small group of nut cases, or in the medium range weapons, which can't reach the Unites States. Like I said, it only makes sense one way.
It isn't helped by the fact that the system is based on some pretty bad technology (for its purpose). We might as well be using jumped up Patriot missiles or the Navy's SM-2, both of which are designed to engage relatively low-speed airplanes and cruise missiles. Even if you think we need Missile Defense, this isn't the right tool or the right program.
If we are to plunge ahead with sort of thing, we should use space-based weapons that at least give us other useful technologies like inexpensive access to space, which NASA isn't going to give us. And, yes, I understand all of the arguments against the militarization of space, but the fact of the matter is that someone will do it sooner or later, and when that happens, being behind the learning curve is going to be a huge problem.