Both reinforced the Trump administration’s stance that border and national security are one and the same. Both noted that the Department of Defense would provide any resources to the Border Patrol, such as military personnel from reserve and active-duty troops.

Although active-duty troops have been sent to the border by administrations of both parties, including the Biden administration, visits by Defense secretaries are uncommon. In 2018, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis visited troops at the border as the Trump administration considered another troop buildup there.