Pete Hegseth visits border for first time as defense secretary
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to visit the southern border for the first time since taking office. His visit follows significant decreases in encounters with immigrants at the border, reported to have decreased by 93%. Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem recently visited the border as well. Under the previous administration of President Trump, the U.S. Army and Marines deployed troops to the southern border, and further deployments are anticipated. Hegseth emphasized the importance of achieving “100% operational control of the border,” linking border security directly to national security. He is also expected to visit Fort Bliss, a significant military base near the border. Hegseth has expressed support for TrumpS immigration policies, including the controversial idea of housing criminal illegal immigrants at Guantanamo Bay. His confirmation as Defense Secretary was narrowly secured, needing Vice President JD Vance to cast a tiebreaking vote.
Pete Hegseth to visit border for first time as defense secretary
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will visit the southern border Monday for the first time since taking his post.
His visit comes as encounters with immigrants at the southern border have decreased by 93%, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. On Sunday, Noem made her first visit to the border since her confirmation.
Under President Donald Trump’s administration, the U.S. Army deployed 1,000 troops while the Marines deployed 500. More are expected to deploy to the area. Before Trump took office, there were 2,500 active-duty U.S. forces stationed at the border.
“POTUS wants 100% operational control of the border — and we will deliver,” Hegseth wrote on X. “BORDER SECURITY IS NATIONAL SECURITY.”
Hegseth will also pay a visit to Fort Bliss, the 1.12-million-acre Army base on the border of New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico. Some 90,000 soldiers, including their families, live there.
The new defense secretary has voiced his support for Trump’s immigration policies. Hegseth agreed with the president’s plan to house criminal illegal immigrants in Guantanamo Bay, calling it “the perfect place.” Hegseth served a year at Guantanamo Bay with the Army guarding detainees.
Senators voted on a narrow confirmation for Hegseth that required Vice President JD Vance to be the tiebreaker.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...