Clarifying the Military's Role in Protecting the Territorial Integrity of the United States

On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order clarifying the military's role in safeguarding the United States' borders, emphasizing the importance of protecting the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The order directs the Secretary of Defense to revise plans to empower U.S. Northern Command to address threats such as unlawful mass migration, narcotics trafficking, and human smuggling at the southern border, declaring a national emergency in that area. This action could have significant legal and political implications, as it involves military involvement in domestic border security, which may raise debates over the appropriate use of military forces within U.S. borders and the balance of power between federal and state authorities.