Pete Hegseth on National Defense Area: Cartels Know US 'Means Business' on Border

National Defense Area Established

• 🛡️ Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the establishment of a National Defense Area, a 170-mile stretch of federally controlled land along the US-Mexico border from Arizona to New Mexico.
• military base within the United States, where any illegal entry will result in detention by US troops and border patrol.
• 🗺️ The Trump administration plans to expand this defense area in the coming months, increasing military involvement in border security.

Military Deployment and Deterrence

• 🚢 Previous military deployments included 1,600 active duty Marines and 2,500 troops, alongside a striker brigade combat team and aviation battalion for mobility and surveillance.
• 🎯 Hegseth stated that Mexican cartels were not anticipating a military base on the border, signaling that the US is serious about border security.
• 🚁 The cartels have observed CBP, troops, strikers, long-range surveillance, and drones, understanding that the US is prepared to detain and interdict illegal crossings.

White House Self-Deportation Campaign

• 📢 The White House released a video encouraging migrants in the US illegally to self-deport through the CBP One app or face deportation.
• ⚖️ The message warns that illegal entry is a crime, and those apprehended will be removed from the country with no chance of re-entry.
• 📍 Hegseth also visited Fort Bliss in El Paso to greet service members deployed to the southern border.