Key Takeaways
- •The hearing detailed the implementation of the Trump corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, emphasizing the Golden Dome missile defense and the 18-nation Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition.
- •Joseph Humire (Performing the Duties of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas Security Affairs) stated that Operation Southern Spear reduced fentanyl flows by 56%.
- •Rep. Eugene Vindman (D, VA-7) pressed General Francis Donovan (Commander, U.S. Southern Command) on whether he would follow "no quarter" orders, which Donovan characterized as unlawful.
- •Rep. Joe Wilson (R, SC-2) lauded military-led border control, while Rep. Adam Smith (D, WA-9) questioned the domestic use of active-duty troops and rising operational costs.
- •The Department of War will continue transitioning to partner-led deterrence operations while finalizing the Golden Dome architecture to counter hypersonic and ballistic missile threats.
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Hearing Analysis
Overview
The House Armed Services Committee held a hearing on March 17, 2026, to review the fiscal year 2027 military posture and national security challenges within the jurisdictions of U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) and U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). Chairman Joe Wilson (R, SC-2) opened the session by praising the administration's "America First" approach, asserting that the U.S. has achieved operational control of the southern border and significantly reduced fentanyl trafficking. The hearing served as a platform for the Department of Defense (DOD) to outline its shift in strategic focus toward the Western Hemisphere, characterized by witnesses as the "Trump corollary to the Monroe Doctrine."
Key Testimony
Key testimony was provided by Mr. Joseph Humire, Performing the Duties of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas Security Affairs; General Gregory Guillot, Commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD); and General Francis Donovan, Commander of U.S. Southern Command. Mr. Humire emphasized that the DOD is now prioritizing hemispheric defense as integral to homeland security. He cited a 93 percent decline in border apprehensions and a 56 percent drop in fentanyl flows as evidence of successful deterrence. General Guillot detailed the establishment of several new task forces, including Joint Task Force Southern Border (JTF-SB) and Joint Task Force Gold, the latter of which serves as the operational arm for the "Golden Dome" integrated air and missile defense initiative. General Donovan, recently 41 days into his command, outlined four imperatives for SOUTHCOM, including imposing "systemic friction" on drug cartels and denying adversaries like the People's Republic of China (China) and the Russian Federation (Russia) footholds in the region.
Overview
Policy discussions centered on several major initiatives. The Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition (ACCC), a group of 18 nations including recent addition Chile, was highlighted as a primary mechanism for partner-led deterrence against narco-terrorism. Witnesses discussed Operation Southern Spear, which targets maritime and terrestrial cartel infrastructure, and Operation Absolute Resolve, which focused on the removal of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela. The "Golden Dome" initiative was a recurring topic, with General Guillot describing it as a layered defense system incorporating space-based interceptors and ground-based sensors to counter cruise missiles and hypersonic threats.
The hearing revealed sharp partisan divisions regarding the military's role and the administration's rhetoric. Republicans, such as Rep. Mike Rogers (R, AL-3) and Rep. Abraham Hamadeh (R, AZ-8), focused on the success of border sealing and the need for aggressive kinetic action against cartels. Conversely, Ranking Member Adam Smith (D, WA-9) and other Democrats expressed deep concerns over the "domestic use of the Department of Defense" for law enforcement in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland. Rep. Eugene Vindman (D, VA-7) engaged in a notable exchange with General Donovan regarding "no quarter" orders, questioning the legality of lethal operations against cartels that might result in no survivors. Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D, MD-3) and Rep. Wesley Bell (D, MO-1) questioned the impact of the President's rhetoric regarding the potential "taking" of Greenland or Cuba, arguing such statements undermine relationships with NATO allies like the Kingdom of Denmark.
Industry Impact
Industry and sector impacts identified include the defense and aerospace sectors, particularly regarding the development of counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) and the modernization of the tanker fleet. General Guillot emphasized the continued need for KC-46 and next-generation tankers to support homeland defense. The maritime sector is also affected by increased patrols and the monitoring of dual-use infrastructure, such as Chinese-funded ports in Peru and space facilities in the Southern Cone.
Overview
Organizations mentioned in the hearing include: - United States Department of Defense (DOD): Discussed regarding its strategic shift toward the Western Hemisphere and budget priorities. - United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM): Focused on its role in Operation Southern Spear and the ACCC. - United States Northern Command (NORTHCOM): Highlighted for its border security mission and homeland defense via NORAD. - People's Republic of China (China): Identified as a primary adversary expanding influence through "dual-use" infrastructure and critical mineral mining. - Republic of Cuba (Cuba): Described as a persistent intelligence threat and a destabilizing force in Venezuela. - Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (Venezuela): Referenced regarding the removal of Nicolas Maduro and ongoing stabilization efforts. - North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD): Discussed in the context of binational cooperation with Canada and modernization against hypersonic threats. - Greenland and Kingdom of Denmark: Mentioned regarding strategic Arctic access and the 1951 defense treaty. - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): Criticized for a lack of coordination with DOD during drone-related airspace closures. - Canada: Praised for its binational partnership in NORAD but pressured to meet defense spending targets. - Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition (ACCC): Identified as the primary multilateral framework for regional counter-narcotics operations. - National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC): Referenced regarding the resignation of its director and its role in analyzing domestic and foreign threats. - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): Discussed regarding the importance of weather data for military operations and concerns over potential funding cuts.
Policy Proposals
Next steps mentioned include the finalization of SOUTHCOM’s evolved campaign plan within 30 days and the continuation of the "Golden Dome" architecture development. Members also requested detailed cost breakdowns for ongoing operations and updates on the revision of Department of Justice (DOJ) advisories regarding counter-UAS policy.
Transcript
Committee will come to order. Today we will begin our fiscal year 2027 posture hearings with the U.S. Northern and Southern Commands. During the last administration, failed open border policies allowed illegal immigrants to flood into our country and deadly narcotics to poison our people. Criminal cartels exploited that chaos, profiting from drug and human trafficking and threatened our communities. At the same time, reckless defund the police efforts weakened law enforcement and made America's cities less safe. President Trump came into office pledging to fix those failures. One year later, we're seeing the results. We have finally achieved operational control of the southern border. Illegal crossings have dropped to the lowest levels on record. Violent criminals are being deported. Fentanyl trafficking into the United States is down by more than 50 percent. Overdose deaths are declining nationwide, and crime rates have plummeted, especially in cities where the National Guard is supporting local law enforcement. But defending the homeland does not stop at our borders. It also requires confronting threats at their source. The President's made it clear that narcotics terrorists, narco-terrorists, and hostile foreign powers will find no sanctuary or foothold anywhere in our hemisphere. Southern Operation Southern Spear is dismantling cartel networks before their drugs cross our borders. Maritime narcotics trafficking has been substantially reduced. The historic mission that brought Nicolas Maduro to justice demonstrated that we will not tolerate threats in our backyard. Nor will regimes aligned with Beijing, Moscow, or Tehran be allowed to undermine U.S. interests just beyond our border. But the United States cannot confront these threats in the Western Hemisphere alone. That's why I commend the administration for establishing the Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition. This coalition of 17 countries will leverage capabilities to combat the cartels that profit from drug trafficking and illegal immigration. I look forward to hearing from General Donovan about how we are working with these regional partners to build their capacity to secure their borders and take the fight to the cartels. These partnerships also play a critical role in countering China's growing influence. For decades, Beijing expanded its presence across the region by embedding itself in ports, telecommunications networks, critical minerals processing, and other strategic infrastructure. These investments are not benign. They are part of a deliberate strategy to expand Beijing's influence in our hemisphere and undermine U.S. security. That is why this administration has acted decisively to push back. Successes like denying Chinese control of the Panama Canal demonstrate the results of that leadership. China's ambitions extend well beyond Latin America, reaching toward our northern approaches in the Arctic, where Russia is also testing our defenses. In the past two years, we've seen Russian and Chinese bombers and warships operating jointly near Alaska. This is a significant demonstration of military cooperation between our two most capable adversaries right off our shores. Moreover, the growing missile capabilities of our adversaries make the President's Golden Dome initiative essential to defending the homeland. I look forward to hearing from General Guillot on his efforts to secure our borders and improve our homeland defense. I want to thank our witnesses for being here today. I look forward to your testimony. With that, I yield to my friend, the ranking member, for any opening statement he may have.
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