The Defense's Argument

The **Trump Administration** refers to the executive branch of the United States government under President Donald J. Trump, covering two non-consecutive periods: his first term from 2017 to 2021 and his second term beginning in 2025. As an organization, it is responsible for executing federal laws, shaping public policy, and managing national affairs during its tenure. During the **first Trump Administration (2017–2021)**, the administration pursued a wide-ranging agenda focused on immigration reform, economic nationalism, deregulation, judiciary appointments, and foreign policy shifts. Key actions included building and expanding the U.S.-Mexico border wall—completing 458 miles by January 2021—and implementing strict immigration policies such as travel bans from several predominantly Muslim countries and rescinding the DAPA amnesty program[2]. The administration withdrew the U.S. from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, renegotiated NAFTA into the USMCA, and signed the "Buy American and Hire American" executive order to prioritize American workers[1][3][5]. Judicially, Trump appointed three Supreme Court justices—Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett—significantly influencing the federal judiciary with over 200 judicial appointments[5]. The administration also focused on military expansion, combating ISIS, addressing the opioid crisis, and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic with vaccine development support[5]. Foreign policy was marked by controversial decisions including troop withdrawals from northern Syria, reinforced support for Saudi Arabia, and tensions with Iran and North Korea[4]. The administration faced two impeachments: first in 2019 over Ukraine dealings and again in 2021 following the January Capitol riot; Trump was acquitted by the Senate both times[4][5]. After losing the 2020 election, Trump returned for a **second term starting in 2025**, continuing his policy priorities with new regulatory changes and political appointments[6][8]. The Trump Administration

## Overview of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a cabinet-level executive department of the U.S. federal government, established in 2003 in direct response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks[1][4]. Its primary mission is to safeguard the United States from a wide range of threats—including terrorism, cyberattacks, natural disasters, and border-related risks—by coordinating efforts across federal, state, local, and private sectors[1][2][4]. With an annual budget of approximately $90–185 billion and over 240,000 employees, DHS is the third-largest federal department, reflecting its broad mandate and operational scale[1][4][6]. ## What DHS Does DHS operates through a network of agencies and directorates, each specializing in different aspects of domestic security. Its core functions include: - **Counterterrorism:** Preventing and responding to terrorist threats, both physical and cyber, through intelligence gathering, law enforcement coordination, and critical infrastructure protection[1][2][4]. - **Border and Transportation Security:** Managing and securing U.S. borders, ports, and transportation systems, including the oversight of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and Coast Guard[1][2][3]. - **Immigration and Customs Enforcement:** Enforcing immigration laws, including the detention and removal of individuals who pose national security or public safety risks[2][5]. - **Cybersecurity:** Defending federal networks and critical infrastructure from cyber threats, while promoting public-private partnerships to enhance national cyber resilience[1][4]. - **Disaster Preparedness and Response:** Leading federal disaster response efforts through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), coordinating with first responders, and supporting community recovery[1][3][6]. ## History and Key Achievements DHS was created by the Homeland Security Act of 2002, consolidating