What do you mean? They're already operating dozens of birds, and even more if you count their manpower that's on loan to places like the NRO

Elon Musk, who became a billionaire by launching a website that merged with a website that provided payment services to a website that provides auction services to vendors who sell things like second hand mobile phones: Has rockets and independent space launch capability. Has ability to perform manned missions.

US Space Force, government agency that's supposed to "Conduct space operations" and "Preserve freedom of action": No rockets, no capability to perform manned missions.

I know who I'd want on my team in a Moonraker-style space laser battle.

I don't think the space force's focus is really on winning Moonraker-style space laser battles