Trump authorizes military to take control of federal land along the border

CNN - Apr 12th, 2025
Open on CNN

President Donald Trump has issued a directive allowing the U.S. military to take jurisdiction over federal lands along the U.S.-Mexico border. The memorandum, sent to four federal agency heads, instructs them to enable the Department of Defense to utilize these lands, including the Roosevelt Reservation, for military activities such as border wall construction and surveillance. This move aims to bolster efforts to secure the border, following Trump's declaration of a national emergency in the region. The memo specifies that this jurisdiction excludes Federal Indian Reservations and initially applies to a limited sector, with potential for expansion.

The directive raises significant legal and policy implications, as it effectively places the military in a role traditionally reserved for law enforcement, potentially circumventing the Posse Comitatus Act. The Act restricts military involvement in domestic law enforcement activities. By designating the area as a military installation and a 'holding' zone, migrants crossing into these lands could be detained by the military until Homeland Security intervenes. This escalation underscores the administration's aggressive stance on border security and poses questions about the balance between national security and legal constraints.

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RATING

6.0
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The news story provides a timely and relevant account of President Trump's directive regarding military involvement in border security. It presents a clear narrative but lacks balance due to the absence of opposing viewpoints and detailed legal analysis. While largely accurate, the story would benefit from more thorough verification of its claims and greater transparency regarding sources and methodology. The topic's inherent controversy and public interest potential make it a significant piece, but its impact and engagement could be enhanced by incorporating diverse perspectives and deeper analysis.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story presents several claims that align with known facts, such as President Trump's issuance of a memorandum instructing federal agencies to allow military use of federal land along the US-Mexico border. The mention of the memorandum's recipients and the exclusion of Federal Indian Reservations are specific details that require verification but appear plausible given the context. However, the story assumes the legality of certain actions, such as circumventing the Posse Comitatus Act by designating areas as 'holding' zones, without providing detailed legal analysis or citing authoritative sources on this matter. Thus, while the story is largely accurate, it lacks comprehensive verification of some legal claims.

6
Balance

The article primarily presents information from the perspective of the Trump administration, focusing on the directive to use military resources along the border. There is a lack of balance as it does not include perspectives from opposing viewpoints, such as those of legal experts, civil rights organizations, or affected communities. The absence of these perspectives creates an imbalance, as readers are not exposed to potential criticisms or alternative interpretations of the memorandum's implications.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear and straightforward, with a logical flow of information. It effectively summarizes the main points of the memorandum and its potential implications. However, the use of technical terms, such as 'Posse Comitatus Act' and 'jurisdiction,' without sufficient explanation may hinder comprehension for readers unfamiliar with legal terminology.

5
Source quality

The story relies on information from a memorandum reportedly issued by President Trump, but it lacks direct citations from the document itself or statements from involved officials. The mention of CNN's previous reporting adds some credibility, but the article would benefit from more diverse and authoritative sources to substantiate its claims. The lack of direct quotes or references to official documents weakens the overall source quality.

5
Transparency

The article does not provide detailed information on how it obtained the memorandum or verified its contents, which affects transparency. There is no discussion of the methodology used to gather information or potential conflicts of interest. The story could improve transparency by disclosing its sources and explaining the basis for its claims more thoroughly.

Sources

  1. https://migrantinsider.com/p/trump-orders-pentagon-to-assume-control
  2. https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2025/04/11/april-11th-2025-presidential-politics-trump-administration-day-82/
  3. https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/04/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-declares-national-emergency-to-increase-our-competitive-edge-protect-our-sovereignty-and-strengthen-our-national-and-economic-security/
  4. https://www.cbsnews.com
  5. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-authorizes-military-control-souther-border/