President Donald Trump has authorized the U.S. military to assume control over key federal lands along the southern border, aiming to expedite border wall construction and enhance security measures.
At a Glance
- Military granted jurisdiction over federal lands to accelerate border wall construction
- Directive involves Departments of Defense, Interior, Agriculture, and Homeland Security
- Initial focus on the Roosevelt Reservation across California, Arizona, and New Mexico
- Implementation begins with a 45-day assessment period, with potential for expansion
- Native American reservations are explicitly excluded from this directive
Military Takes Control of Southern Border Lands
In a significant move to bolster border security, President Donald Trump has authorized the U.S. military to assume control over critical federal lands along the U.S.-Mexico border. The directive, issued on April 11, 2025, aims to expedite the construction of the border wall and curb illegal crossings. It specifically targets the Roosevelt Reservation, a 60-foot-wide strip of land established in 1907 that spans areas in California, Arizona, and New Mexico, according to The Guardian.
Watch CBS News’s coverage on the military border directive.
The order instructs the Secretaries of Defense, Interior, Agriculture, and Homeland Security to transfer jurisdiction of these federal lands to the Department of Defense. This transfer equips the military with authority to build barriers, deploy surveillance equipment, and execute actions deemed necessary to fulfill the mission. The plan begins with a 45-day implementation period, with potential for expansion as conditions require, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Restoring Order and Sovereignty
The Trump administration argues that this measure is vital to restoring order and protecting U.S. sovereignty. “Our southern border is under attack from a variety of threats. The complexity of the current situation requires that our military take a more direct role in securing our southern border than in the recent past,” reads the directive, quoted by The New York Post.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will oversee troop deployments across the newly designated zones. The 45-day review period will assess the effectiveness of the directive and recommend possible expansions. The order explicitly excludes Native American reservations from the jurisdictional transfer, preserving tribal sovereignty, according to Politico.
A New Era of Border Security
This directive marks a significant escalation in the U.S. government’s border security strategy, giving the military unprecedented authority over domestic territory for immigration control. While the administration insists the measure is necessary, legal experts have voiced concerns about its implications under the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits military involvement in domestic law enforcement, as explained in Politico.
Civil rights groups and legal analysts are already preparing challenges, citing fears over long-term impacts on civil liberties. Critics argue the move sets a dangerous precedent for the military’s role in civilian governance, while Trump allies frame it as a bold step toward securing the nation’s borders. As Vanity Fair notes, the action could reshape public expectations for the military’s involvement in domestic affairs moving forward.
