Lethal Force At The Border and Deployment of Troops…

Lethal Force At The Border and Deployment of Troops Inside The U.S.: What Could DeSantis Pentagon Agenda Look Like

Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis (Credit: Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is reportedly in discussions to serve as Secretary of Defense in President-elect Donald Trump's administration in replace of current embattled nominee Pete Hegseth.

If effectively appointed, DeSantis could have the chance to pursue policies he championed during his presidential campaign, including authorizing lethal force at the U.S.-Mexico border and deploying military troops for domestic operations.

DeSantis, a Navy veteran, repeatedly emphasized his intent to address the border crisis with a military-first approach, including targeting drug cartels and considering missile strikes in Mexico. "I am gonna declare a national emergency, I'm not gonna send troops to Ukraine but I am gonna send them to our southern border," he said during the Republican primaries. "When these drug pushers bring fentanyl across the border, that's gonna be the last thing they do."

His potential appointment follows allegations of misconduct surrounding Fox News host Pete Hegseth, Trump's initial choice for defense secretary. Hegseth has faced multiple allegations that have raised doubts about his nomination, including excessive consumption of alcohol, including while at work, a 2017 sexual assault accusation, as well as reports of a settlement Hegseth paid to his accuser in 2020 to avoid legal action. Other potential candidates to lead the Pentagon include former Pentagon official Elbridge Colby, an ally of Vice President-elect JD Vance, and Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa.

DeSantis's military service and alignment with Trump's views on "woke" policies in the armed forces could also help solidify support among Republicans. That means eliminating policies such as diversity and inclusion programs and accommodations for transgender service members.

However, some Trump allies oppose DeSantis. The Florida governor, who endorsed Trump after dropping out of the 2024 GOP primary, clashed with him during the campaign and criticized Trump on issues such as immigration and his handling of COVID-19 policies, though the two have worked to repair the relationship.

DeSantis' focus on border security mirrors Trump's hardline stance. He has also vowed to declare a national emergency at the southern border, potentially authorizing the use of force against cartels and allocating state resources, including Florida troops, to aid Texas-led border initiatives.

Under his leadership, the Pentagon could see proposals challenging long-standing laws such as Posse Comitatus, which restricts the use of active-duty troops for domestic law enforcement. Provisions under the Insurrection Act, invoked only in cases of severe unrest, could allow exceptions.

A potential DeSantis-led Pentagon would also likely bring changes to U.S. foreign policy, as reported by the Miami Herald. He has questioned NATO's relevance in addressing global threats and expressed skepticism about continued U.S. involvement in Ukraine's defense against Russia. While condemning Russia's actions, DeSantis emphasized focusing resources on countering China.

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