USS Gravely shifts from Middle East combat to U.S. southern border patrol as Trump intensifies security measures against drug cartels and illegal immigration

After spending months battling Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, the USS Gravely is shifting gears and heading toward the U.S. southern border.

The guided-missile destroyer, which played a critical role in high-stakes military operations in the Middle East, is now being deployed as part of President Trump’s intensified efforts to secure the border and combat drug cartels.

A New Mission Close to Home

The 509-foot warship, armed with dozens of Tomahawk cruise missiles, will soon be stationed in waters typically patrolled by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Its mission? To bolster security and enforce maritime operations in response to what Trump has described as an “invasion” of illegal immigration and criminal activity.

According to U.S. Northern Command General Gregory Guillot, the deployment is meant to “protect the United States’ territorial integrity, sovereignty, and security.”

Defense officials added that the move is part of a broader effort to combat maritime terrorism, weapons smuggling, human trafficking, and illegal immigration.

The Trump Administration’s Border Crackdown

Since returning to the White House, Trump has wasted no time in reinstating his strict immigration policies.

He has already ordered 10,000 additional troops to the southern border and reinstated the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which forces asylum seekers to wait in Mexico until their court hearings in the U.S.

The deployment of the USS Gravely aligns with Trump’s broader national security strategy, which has also included discussions about reclaiming control of the Panama Canal.

Elite Forces on Board

The USS Gravely won’t just be patrolling the border—it will also house a specialized U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment.

These elite operators are trained to combat piracy, intercept drug traffickers, and handle high-risk maritime security missions.

Just over a year ago, the destroyer was engaged in intense combat in the Middle East, launching warplanes and missiles at Houthi targets in Yemen.

Its role in those operations was a direct response to the deaths of three U.S. service members in Jordan.

Now, it will be operating in a completely different theater—this time, much closer to home.

The Panama Canal Controversy

Trump’s latest military moves don’t stop at the border. Reports indicate that he has also instructed the U.S. military to draft plans to “reclaim” the Panama Canal, which he argues is under Chinese control.

Two military sources confirmed to Reuters that the U.S. Southern Command has been preparing a range of options to secure America’s access to the canal, a key global shipping route.

Trump has repeatedly claimed that Panama has not upheld its commitments since the final transfer of the canal in 1999 and insists the U.S. must regain influence over it.

What Comes Next?

While Trump has not specified how he plans to “take back” the Panama Canal, military insiders suggest that a direct invasion is unlikely.

Instead, they believe his administration will focus on increasing U.S. military presence in the region as a show of force.

As the USS Gravely sails toward its new mission, its deployment underscores the evolving role of the U.S. military under Trump’s leadership.

Whether securing borders or reasserting global influence, it’s clear that his administration is taking an aggressive stance on national security—both at home and abroad.