Overview
- President Trump signed a memorandum authorizing the Department of Defense to assume control of the Roosevelt Reservation, a 60-foot-wide federal corridor along parts of California, Arizona, and New Mexico.
- The directive empowers the military to construct barriers, deploy surveillance equipment, and designate areas as active military zones called 'National Defense Areas.'
- A 45-day assessment period has been initiated for the Secretary of Defense to evaluate the initial phase and consider expanding military control to additional federal lands.
- Critics argue that the move may violate the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits military involvement in domestic law enforcement, raising legal and constitutional concerns.
- Supporters of the measure, including a retired ICE agent, emphasize the need for military resources to address challenges in securing the southern border effectively.