Defense Secretary Hegseth Visits -Mexico Border, Highlights Military Role in Border Security

Hegseth’s first border visit underscores expanded military involvement under Trump’s national emergency declaration.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made his first official visit to the U.S.-Mexico border, accompanied by Border Czar Tom Homan, as part of the Trump administration's heightened focus on border security.
President Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border, increasing active-duty troop deployments from 2,500 to over 4,500 to support Customs and Border Protection operations.
Hegseth emphasized achieving '100 percent operational control' of the border and outlined the military's role in surveillance, logistics, and physical barrier construction.
The administration is considering invoking the Insurrection Act to expand military authority, potentially allowing soldiers to arrest migrants, a move criticized by Democratic lawmakers over training concerns.
A recent agreement between Trump and Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo included Mexico deploying 10,000 National Guard troops to its northern border and the U.S. addressing arms trafficking into Mexico.