The United States government has issued a National Security Presidential Memorandum detailing a military mission focused on securing the southern border. The directive, signed by President Donald J. Trump, assigns the military a direct role in addressing perceived threats at the border and mandates the sealing of the border against unlawful entries.
The memorandum, directed to the Secretaries of Defense, the Interior, Agriculture, and Homeland Security, builds on Executive Order 14167, clarifying the military's expanded role. It establishes a policy for using federal lands along the border for military activities, including the construction of barriers and the deployment of detection equipment. The Secretary of Defense is freed to use necessary federal lands excluding Indian Reservations, with the authority to designate these areas as National Defense Areas.
The document stresses the necessity of military actions to repel invasions and protect territorial integrity. The Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Interior, and other key officials are urged to take all appropriate actions regarding the jurisdiction and use of these lands, with a specific focus on the Roosevelt Reservation.
A phased implementation of the memorandum is specified, commencing with a limited sector of federal lands. The Secretary of Defense is required to evaluate this initial phase within 45 days and may extend activities to additional lands along the southern border in cooperation with other departments.
The memorandum emphasizes adherence to existing laws, including the rules of force prescribed by the Secretary of Defense and coordination with state and federal law enforcement activities. It clarifies that the directive does not create any legal rights or benefits enforceable by individuals.
President Trump notes that this memorandum aims to bolster national defense along the U.S. southern border, framing it as a necessary measure to address current complexities and threats.
