Kristi Noem, DHS Secretary | official facebook
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem has voiced her support for the creation of a Secretary of the United States Coast Guard. This endorsement follows a letter from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who also supports establishing this new civilian leadership role.
Currently, the Coast Guard is unique among U.S. military branches in that it does not have its own civilian Service Secretary. The proposed position would provide dedicated leadership to guide policy and set strategic goals for the service. Secretary Noem is calling on Congress to take legislative action to create this role.
“The Coast Guard is the tip of the spear in the fight to protect our Homeland,” said Secretary Noem. “Every day, they are taking down drug smugglers, going toe-to-toe with our adversaries in the Arctic and the Pacific, and saving lives. Having a Secretary of the Coast Guard will be essential for President Trump’s mandate to rebuild the Service into the finest maritime fighting force in the world. I emphatically endorse and support Secretary Hegseth’s recommendation and look forward to working with him, President Trump, and Congress to make this a reality.”
All other branches of the Armed Services currently have civilian Secretaries who oversee their operations, represent them before Congress and other government entities, and help implement presidential directives.
The addition of a Coast Guard secretary could strengthen its ability to coordinate joint operations with other military services. The Coast Guard's Law Enforcement Detachments (LEDETs), which operate under Title 14 authority, play an important role in countering foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal groups involved in drug or human trafficking. These units often work aboard Navy ships such as USS Cole, USS Minneapolis-St. Paul, USS Sampson, and USS Gravely.
In his letter to Secretary Noem, Secretary Hegseth stated: "We recognize and deeply value the Department of Homeland Security’s stewardship of the Coast Guard’s multi-mission character and its unique homeland security capabilities. The Department of War believes that the establishment of a Secretary of the Coast Guard can complement and reinforce these strengths while ensuring that, in times of peace or war, the Service is postured to support the full spectrum of national security operations."
