What's Happening?
In 2025, President Trump implemented a series of policy changes that have significantly altered the Pentagon's role and the U.S. national security strategy. These changes include renaming the Department of Defense to the Department of War, deploying troops
to the southern border under an 'invasion' mission, and treating fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. Additionally, the U.S. Space Force has been directed to prepare for combat operations in orbit. These actions have sparked debate over the legal and strategic implications of such a shift in military and national security policy.
Why It's Important?
These policy changes reflect a broader shift in how the U.S. administration views national security threats, integrating domestic issues like drug policy and homelessness into the national security framework. The renaming of the Department of Defense and the deployment of troops to the border could have significant implications for civil-military relations and the legal boundaries of military engagement. The designation of fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction expands the scope of national security operations, potentially affecting public health responses.
What's Next?
Congressional hearings are expected in 2026 to address the implications of these policy changes, including the renaming of the Department of Defense and the deployment of troops to the border. The outcomes of these hearings could determine whether these changes become permanent fixtures of U.S. national security policy. Additionally, the international community will be watching how these policies affect U.S. relations with other countries, particularly in terms of military engagement and drug policy.
