‘Catastrophic threat’: Conservative group’s roadmap shows how Trump can use military to thwart cartels

A top conservative group has offered a detailed roadmap for President Donald Trump to effectively deploy the military to secure the southern border, citing a substantial historic precedent for such action. The Heritage Foundation report, titled “How the President Can Use the U.S. Military to Confront the Catastrophic Threat at the Border with Mexico,” emphasizes the urgent need to address the unchecked growth of Mexican cartels, illegal immigration, and narcotics that pose a destabilizing threat to the United States.

The report highlights the rapid deterioration in U.S.-Mexico security cooperation and Mexico’s anti-cartel operations, which have led to a worsening situation along the border. It recommends a series of measures to confront the threat, including bolstering U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) capacities, increasing restrictions on border crossings, ramping up law enforcement efforts, targeting illicit financial flows tied to cartels, and sanctioning corrupt Mexican officials.

The authors of the report advocate for appropriate funding from Congress and strategic planning by agencies to prevent any negative impact on other missions. They propose the use of military equipment for immigration purposes, such as deportation, utilizing U.S. military transport vehicles and facilities globally to support detention and repatriation of illegal aliens.

While direct military action against cartels is considered a last resort, the report suggests that unilateral U.S. military action may be necessary to disrupt cartel activity and compel cooperation from a resistant Mexican government. Joint military action with Mexican coordination is preferred, but the report acknowledges that Mexico may not change its stance even with a new president in office.

The report also explores other potential uses for the military, including aiding border wall construction, supplementing Border Patrol efforts, and utilizing intelligence and surveillance methods to detect cross-border activity. It also suggests the use of U.S. military facilities for migrant detention.

The administration has already taken steps to address the border threat, including deploying additional troops to the southern border. Troops from the U.S. Army and Marines have been sent to El Paso, Texas, and San Diego to provide support in securing the border. This deployment represents a significant increase in active-duty ground forces since President Trump took office.

As the administration continues to address the challenges posed by illegal immigration and cartel activity along the southern border, the Heritage Foundation report offers a comprehensive strategy for utilizing the U.S. military to confront these threats effectively. The recommendations outlined in the report underscore the urgent need for decisive action to safeguard the integrity of the border and protect national security interests.