The U.S. Coast Guard is undergoing significant restructuring and expansion under the Trump administration’s aggressive efforts to combat illegal immigration and drug smuggling. A key component of this overhaul involves the introduction of a Coast Guard secretary position, aimed at streamlining operations and elevating the service’s status to match other military branches. These efforts are supported by both congressional initiatives and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which has reported a substantial increase in drug seizures since Trump took office.
The proposed reforms include the creation of a civilian secretary of the Coast Guard to align the service more closely with military branches under the Department of Defense. The Coast Guard currently falls under the Department of Homeland Security, and the addition of a secretary is intended to eliminate bureaucratic layers and improve coordination between the White House, Congress, and the service. Rep. Mike Ezell, a co-sponsor of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, emphasized the importance of this role in facilitating communication and accelerating progress, akin to the structure of a sheriff or chief of police.
The legislation, introduced in July 2025, has passed the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and is now on its way to the House floor for a full vote. The bill also includes provisions for a more robust force design, aiming to expand the Coast Guard’s capabilities to address the growing demands of immigration and drug enforcement. This includes revising the service’s organizational structure, personnel training, and technology upgrades to better align with Department of Defense standards. The proposed changes are part of a broader effort to modernize the Coast Guard in response to the Trump administration’s focus on border security and interdiction of illegal activities.
Rep. Ezell, who served over 40 years as a law enforcement officer, including as sheriff of Jackson County, Mississippi, highlighted the importance of a centralized point of contact to streamline coordination across agencies. He described the secretary as a ‘critical person’ who would ensure that the Coast Guard can effectively execute its missions under the current administration’s priorities. This legislative push aligns with similar efforts in the Senate, where Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia have introduced comparable legislation to establish the same position.
Meanwhile, the Coast Guard itself has been implementing reforms through its Force Design 2028 plan, which outlines a comprehensive overhaul of its structure, personnel, and operational capabilities. The plan, introduced in April 2025, is aligned with directives from Trump and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. It includes enhancing the service’s capacity to handle the increasing demands of immigration and drug interdiction, as well as improving physical fitness and grooming standards for its personnel. These changes are being implemented in response to the administration’s focus on securing the border and disrupting narcotics trafficking.
The expansion of the Coast Guard’s role has also been underscored by recent operations, including the rescue of 4 passengers from a capsized boat off the Florida coast and the airlifting of a cruise ship passenger who had suffered a stroke 300 miles off the Hawaii coast. These incidents highlight the Coast Guard’s growing involvement in both humanitarian and enforcement missions, reflecting the administration’s broader strategy to integrate interdiction efforts with operational readiness. With the Trump administration’s focus on immigration and narcotics enforcement intensifying, the restructuring of the Coast Guard is seen as a critical step in modernizing the service to meet these challenges.