Clarifying The Military’s Role In Protecting The Territorial Integrity Of The United States

January 20, 2025

Presidential Actions

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Action Summary

Purpose: Reaffirm the President’s duty as Commander in Chief to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the United States, emphasizing national security at its borders.
Current Threats: Identifies a National Emergency at the southern border due to unlawful mass migration, narcotics trafficking, human smuggling, and other criminal activities that endanger national security and public safety.
Policy Directive: Establishes that the Armed Forces must prioritize the protection of the nation’s borders, ensuring the maintenance of territorial integrity against both criminal and foreign threats.
Implementation Measures:
- Revised Unified Command Plan: The Secretary of Defense must submit a revised plan within 10 days assigning USNORTHCOM the mission to seal the borders and deter various invasions.
- Contingency and Campaign Planning: Mandates the inclusion of Level 3 and campaign planning requirements for USNORTHCOM to secure the southern border, with assessments and a commander’s estimate due within 30 days.
- Continuous Assessment: Ongoing evaluation of strategies to prevent unlawful entry and protect national security from both state and transnational threats.
General Provisions: Clarifies that the order does not impair existing legal authorities of executive departments or affect budgetary functions, nor does it create any enforceable rights for private parties.

Risks & Considerations

The Executive Order emphasizes the military’s role in securing national borders, which could lead to increased military presence and activities along the southern border. This may impact local communities and institutions, including universities, in terms of security and logistics.
There is a potential risk of heightened tensions and legal challenges related to the use of military forces in domestic border security operations, which could affect public perception and policy discussions in academic settings.
The focus on border security and the prevention of unlawful entry may influence immigration policies and practices, potentially affecting international students and faculty at Vanderbilt University.
Vanderbilt University may need to consider how these changes in national security policy could impact its research and educational programs, particularly those related to international relations, law, and public policy.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt Law School may see increased demand for expertise in immigration law and national security policy, presenting opportunities for research and policy analysis.
Vanderbilt’s International Student and Scholar Services might need to adjust its strategies to accommodate changes in immigration policies and ensure compliance with new regulations.
The Department of Political Science could play a crucial role in analyzing the implications of this Executive Order on U.S. foreign policy and national security strategy.
Vanderbilt’s partnerships with international institutions may need to be reevaluated to ensure alignment with the new security policies and to address any potential challenges in student and faculty exchanges.

Financial Impact

The reallocation of federal resources towards border security initiatives could impact funding opportunities for research and development in related fields, potentially affecting grant application strategies and partnerships.
Vanderbilt University might experience changes in its funding landscape, particularly if federal discretionary grants prioritize national security and border protection. This could necessitate adjustments in research priorities and collaborations.
There may be increased opportunities for Vanderbilt to secure funding for research in national security, immigration policy, and border management, particularly through collaborations with the Department of Defense and other federal agencies.
As border security becomes a national priority, there could be a shift in the demographics of students applying to Vanderbilt, potentially affecting tuition revenue and financial aid distribution.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order presents moderate risks typically involving compliance or ethics, particularly in relation to immigration and national security policies.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Center for International Studies should monitor developments in U.S. border security policies and their implications for international relations and migration patterns. This will be crucial for understanding potential impacts on international students and scholars, as well as for developing informed policy recommendations.
The Office of Federal Relations should engage with policymakers to understand the potential impacts of increased military involvement in border security on federal funding and research opportunities related to national security and defense.
Vanderbilt’s Law School could explore the legal implications of the executive order, particularly in terms of its impact on civil liberties and immigration law. This research can contribute to public discourse and inform legal education and advocacy efforts.

Opportunities

The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Political Science Department to conduct research on the political and social impacts of enhanced border security measures. This research can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness and consequences of such policies.
Vanderbilt can leverage its expertise in public policy and international relations to host forums and discussions on the implications of the executive order, positioning the university as a leader in national security and immigration policy debates.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order requires some adjustments to processes or procedures related to research and engagement in national security and immigration policy.)

Average Relevance Score: 3.4

Timeline for Implementation

10 days from the effective date (January 20, 2025): The Secretary of Defense must deliver a revision to the Unified Command Plan assigning USNORTHCOM the mission to seal the borders.
30 days from the effective date (January 20, 2025): A commander’s estimate is due to the Secretary of Defense as part of the Level 3 planning requirement.

Relevance Score: 5

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of Defense (DoD): The Secretary of Defense is directly tasked with revising the Unified Command Plan and integrating enhanced border security measures in response to the order.
United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM): USNORTHCOM is specifically assigned the mission to seal the borders and maintain the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security of the United States by repelling various forms of invasion and criminal activities.
United States Armed Forces: As the primary entity responsible for defending the nation’s sovereignty, the U.S. Armed Forces are acknowledged and tasked under this order to support border protection and counter related threats.

Relevance Score: 2 (Three agencies are directly affected by the directives in this order.)

Responsible Officials

Secretary of Defense – Tasked with delivering a revised Unified Command Plan and incorporating new planning requirements to ensure border security, directly implementing this Executive Order.
United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) – Charged with executing the directive to seal the borders and repelling various threats as specified in the guidance provided through this order.

Relevance Score: 4 (Directives affect agency heads with significant operational responsibilities in national security).