Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth discussed protection at the southern border and how the agency is responding to the risk of a possible China-China issue in a media interview now.  ,
Before departing from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, to Laredo, Texas, for the secretary’s next trip to the southern border since taking the oath of office, the minister exchanged some comments on those subjects.  ,
Since the new administration has taken office, the secretary noted an approximately 97 % decrease in illegal border crossings.” The deterrent effect is there” when it comes to border security.  ,
” President]Donald J. Trump gave us the command to have complete functional control over the southern boundary. Borders protection is also known as “national security,” Hegseth said.  ,
He continued,” Our ] previous open border policy resulted in ] recklessness, death, and drugs for our communities.” ” We’re sending those [criminal illegal immigrants ] home, and we’re not letting more in,” he said.
Hegseth praised the present stage of border control cooperation between the Mexican and American institutions.  ,
” We have historically friendly military-to-military teamwork right now. However, we’re letting Mexico take the lead, he said.  ,
” We want them to direct that battle, and it’s their nation. It’s their fight.” And they have stepped up thus way, which is a good thing, he continued.  ,
On February 20, 2025, the State Department designated eight foreign organizations as foreign terrorist businesses. Hegseth stated that” all choices are on the table” regarding how the United States handles the legal organizations, but Army and the current administration would like that the Mexican government deal with the problem themselves.  ,
Hegseth said,” We will not accept them controlling that border [and ] poisoning our people with fentanyl,” before claiming that there isn’t enough fentanyl-related fatalities in the U.S. to be reported.  ,
Hegseth said the Defense Department is prepared in response to the Chinese government’s new affirmation that it is “ready to fight to the end” in “any kind” of war with the United States.  ,
The saying goes,” Those who long for peace must prepare for war,” and that’s why we’re rebuilding our government. That’s why we’re establishing deterrence, he said.  ,
The president has a great relationship with the Chinese Communist Party leader, and he is aware that harmony can only be achieved through power. The director continued, noting that the United States is not actively attempting to fight with that nation.  ,
Hegseth said,” We don’t get that war.” However, my work as security minister is to ensure readiness. So [we ] need the defence spending, the features, the weaponry, and the position in the Indo-Pacific, which is something we’re very focused on.