‘If you’re not conservative, don’t come here’: The town making missiles for Trump

A Tennessee Munitions Hub Stands Firm Behind Trump Amidst Iran Conflict

Ninoda.com – Deep within the Appalachian foothills lies Kingsport, a working-class Tennessee community where faith and industry intertwine. With more than three hundred churches dotting the landscape—earning locals the description of having “a church on every street”—Christianity forms the bedrock of daily life. Above the historic Lamplight Theatre in the downtown district, a prominent sign declares “Jesus first in all things,” reflecting the spiritual priorities of this 58,000-resident town.

While congregations provide spiritual nourishment, another institution sustains the local economy. The Holston Army Ammunition Plant operates as a critical manufacturing center, producing the explosives that power Patriot missiles, warheads, and other heavy military equipment. This facility plays a central role in America’s expensive and extended military engagement with Iran.

Political Loyalty Runs Deep

Despite national headwinds, Kingsport remains steadfastly Republican. The city cast its votes for Donald Trump across all three of his presidential campaigns, mirroring Tennessee’s broader political trajectory as a Republican stronghold for over a quarter-century. When it comes to the ongoing conflict in Iran, most residents either champion the military response or acknowledge its necessity, even as Trump had previously pledged “no more wars” during his campaigns.

“If he can stop anyone from having a nuclear bomb, then I’m for it,” says Pam Robinson, 65, who dedicated two decades to work at the local chemical plant.

“Honestly, I think we should turn them into a parking lot and don’t worry about it anymore,” says veteran James Camper, 63, wearing a Trump lanyard around his neck as he exits a discount grocery.

The war has created ripple effects throughout American life, from fuel costs to grocery prices. Gas prices have climbed above four dollars per gallon, creating financial strain for businesses dependent on transportation. Yet in Kingsport, support for the president borders on devotion.

Veterans and Faith Shape Local Perspective

Veterans comprise approximately ten percent of the regional population, with numerous households maintaining active-duty family members. Their perspectives help explain the community’s resilience regarding national politics.

“The whole reason we go over there, and we keep everything under control there, is [so that] we don’t have it on our doorstep,” says David Carter, a bearded veteran who plays Santa Claus at Christmastime.

Carter, 66, is an outspoken Christian who backs American intervention in Iran. Robinson, an independent voter whose faith guides her political decisions, suggests the war’s geographic distance shields Trump from local criticism.

“Let me say this: If it was hand-to-hand and more people were getting killed, people would be banging the doors down,” she says.

Economic Realities and Political Forgiveness

Trump’s national approval has fallen to 32 percent—an historic low representing a fourteen-point decline since he assumed office in January 2025. Many Republican voters cite policy disillusionment as the cause. The two primary factors dragging down his popularity are the cost of living crisis and the Iran War, with each issue amplifying the other.

However, Kingsport residents rarely direct their economic frustrations toward the president. Daniel Overstreet, 53, stands beside his Harley Davidson in downtown Kingsport, offering his assessment of the political situation.

“The plant’s going to be open regardless of whether we’re at war or whether we’re not,” says Overstreet. “It is what it is.”

“He said he would get the gas prices under control, and they were for a while,” says Overstreet. “He said he was gonna get food prices down, but he has no control over that. The president is basically a puppet for Congress and the Senate. His hands are tied, to a certain extent.”

The Holston facility, employing roughly one thousand workers, represents just one of several large industrial complexes visible against the green Appalachian backdrop. As the nation’s sole domestic provider of certain essential explosive and propellant components, the plant gives locals a distinctive viewpoint on the conflict.

“The plant’s going to be open regardless of whether we’re at war or whether we’re not,” says Daniel Overstreet, 53, standing next to his Harley Davidson in downtown Kingsport. “It is what it is.”

Overstreet believes the administration performs well but faces opposition from numerous quarters. Robinson echoes this sentiment, suggesting the president receives poor counsel on certain matters.

“He’s done good on some things; I think he needs to check his advisers and see on some things,” says Robinson. “I think he’s advised wrong on some things.”

Trump personally announced his decision to launch strikes against Iran in February 2026, following unsuccessful diplomatic negotiations. In an eight-minute video shared across social media platforms, he emphasized that “the objective is to defend the American people by eliminating immi”