Trump invokes Defense Production Act to rebuild weapons stockpile after Iran strikes

President Trump wants private defense companies to ramp up weapons production after much of the U.S. stockpile was used up in fighting with Iran. To do that, he's invoking the Defense Production Act.

In a document signed last week and sent to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Trump says conditions still exist that could threaten national defense. He called the final two days of the war with Iran "brutal" on Wednesday, saying the U.S. used about $200 million worth of bombs.

A recent analysis from the Center for Strategic and International Studies found the U.S. used up nearly half its stockpile of precision strike missiles and Patriot air defense missiles.

The Defense Production Act dates back to the 1950s. Trump has used it before, most notably during the COVID pandemic, when it was invoked to ramp up ventilator production.