Coast Guard makes a big turnaround under Donald Trump

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Trump transformed the culture of the military

After languishing under Biden with 10 cutters sidelined and 25 stations closed, the Coast Guard has rebounded under Trump—smashing recruitment targets and reactivating vital assets.

Kristi Noem and DHS leadership ordered a surge of Coast Guard patrols that netted 148,000 pounds of cocaine and marijuana and nearly 900 human-smuggling arrests in FY 2025, crippling maritime cartel operations.

Embracing a restored “warrior culture” focused on merit and accountability, the service has regained trust among recruits and personnel, driving its sharp turnaround in border security.

“Under the Biden administration, the U.S. Coast Guard had its hands tied behind its back,” the memo stated. “Recruitment goals were not met, and our Coast Guardsmen were hamstrung and overwhelmed while cartels smuggled humans and illicit drugs through our maritime borders.”

Officials expect the branch to exceed its recruitment goal for the year.

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