Crow Demands Trump Administration Explain Disruptions to Starshield

October 16, 2026 Press Release AURORA — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO), a former paratrooper and Army Ranger who serves on the House Armed Services Committee and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, is demanding President Donald Trump explain why Ukrainian forces’ access to SpaceX’s Starshield was reportedly restricted earlier this week. This decision disrupted their military operations , crippling their air defense and putting Ukrainians at further risk to deadly Russian aerial bombardments. According to SpaceX , any limits on speed or usage of Starshield is decided by the U.S. military and the President. The Trump administration has not publicly stated who authorized these changes, when authorization was given, and what the intended purpose was. Joining Crow on this letter are Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee Adam Smith (D-WA), Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Jim Himes (D-CT), and member of the House Armed Services Committee Congressman George Whitesides (D-CA). “The President’s failed policies and reckless war with Iran has raised prices. As his popularity plummets at home, he’s shamefully abandoning our allies and once again cozying up to dictators,” said Congressman Crow. “We need to stand with the people of Ukraine as Russia continues its war of aggression, not fund Putin’s war machine that is killing civilians.” Crow and his colleagues wrote: “According to SpaceX, any limits on speed or usage of Starshield are decided by the U.S. military and the President. To date, your Administration has refused to respond to Congressional inquiries on who directed these changes to Ukraine’s Starshield services.” They continued: “In this context there are two possibilities – either SpaceX independently made the decision to restrict Ukrainian Starshield service, or the U.S. Government directed them to do so. If a private company can unilaterally restrict a critical operational service governed by a signed contract with the Department of Defense during an active conflict, it raises serious concerns about public accountability and the outsized influence of private actors over U.S. national security matters. If, on the other hand, the direction was given by your Administration, it raises serious questions about U.S. defense policy regarding Russia and Ukraine. Either way, the American people, our allies, and Ukraine deserve to know why this decision with life-threatening consequences was made.” Congressman Crow has been a strong supporter of the Ukrainian people. He recently introduced a bill to protect Ukrainian nationals already in the U.S. against the threat of deportation by extending their Temporary Protected Status (TPS). When Putin’s invasion began, Crow immediately called for the U.S. to send military and humanitarian support to Ukraine, for international sanctions against Russia, and for a stronger NATO alliance to meet these new security threats. Weeks later, as Ukrainians fled their homes, Congressman Crow and other members advocated for an expedited immigration status for Ukrainians to the U.S. Crow has visited Ukraine several times since Russia’s invasion. The Congressman has been one of the earliest and strongest supporters of military , development , and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine. He voted for, and strongly advocated for, every supplemental package provided to Ukraine. A PDF of the letter can be found here , with full text appearing below: President Trump, On October 14, 2026, Ukrainian forces reported that unexpected restrictions on their SpaceX Starshield satellite communications services severely disrupted their military operations, crippling their air defense and putting Ukrainians at further risk to deadly Russian aerial bombardments. These restrictions came as officials in your Administration were actively pressuring Ukraine to limit strikes on Russia, particularly on oil refineries. The reported goal of your Administration’s pressure campaign was to pump more Russian diesel into global markets, amidst high fuel prices caused by your war with Iran. According to SpaceX, any limits on speed or usage of Starshield are decided by the U.S. military and the President. To date, your Administration has refused to respond to Congressional inquiries on who directed these changes to Ukraine’s Starshield services. In this context there are two possibilities – either SpaceX independently made the decision to restrict Ukrainian Starshield service, or the U.S. Government directed them to do so. If a private company can unilaterally restrict a critical operational service governed by a signed contract with the Department of Defense during an active conflict, it raises serious concerns about public accountability and the outsized influence of private actors over U.S. national security matters. If, on the other hand, the direction was given by your Administration, it raises serious questions about U.S. defense policy regarding Russia and Ukraine. Either way, the American people, our allies, and Ukraine deserve to know why this decision with life-threatening consequences was made. Please provide responses to the following questions by October 30, 2026: Who authorized the speed restrictions on Starshield services provided to Ukraine? a. Was this an independent SpaceX decision, a U.S. Government directive, or a coordinated effort between SpaceX and the U.S. Government? b. What was the intent of the speed restrictions when authorized? Was there any communication between the White House, the Pentagon, or other parts of the U.S. Government and SpaceX on the decision to implement speed restrictions? Was there any communication between the White House, the Pentagon, or other parts of the U.S. Government and Russia on a decision to restrict Starshield services for Ukraine prior to any directive to SpaceX to implement such speed limitations? Were the operational consequences of restricting Starshield services for Ukraine assessed before the decision took effect, including potential impacts on Ukrainian forces and/or their air defense capabilities? Why were Ukrainian forces not given advanced notice of this restriction? We will not allow your Administration to abandon our commitment to Ukraine by siding with Putin over the Ukrainian people and undermining their fundamental right to defend their sovereignty and freedom. ### Issues : National Security