In a significant visit to the U.S.-Mexico border, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized the urgency of securing the southern border, declaring operational control a top priority. This visit, marked as his first official trip as Defense Secretary, included meetings with military personnel deployed to the area amid rising tensions surrounding immigration and border security. Hegseth vowed to utilize thousands of active-duty troops and increase resources to combat border challenges and cartel activities. His remarks underscore a commitment to a new era of border security, as he warned that ‘all options are on the table’ for tackling cartels. The visit coincides with heightened military presence and reflects ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to exert greater control over immigration and strengthen border defenses.