The Defense Department began construction in mid-July on a detention center at Fort Bliss, Texas, in response to a request for assistance from the Department of Homeland Security, said Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson, during a briefing at the Pentagon today.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved DHS access and use of the land at the base. It will have an initial capacity of 1,000 detainees, which is likely to be achieved later this month, she said.
Ultimately, the detention center capacity is expected to reach 5,000 in the weeks and months ahead, she said. "Upon completion, this will be the largest federal detention center in history for this critical mission — the deportation of illegal aliens."
During the briefing, Wilson commended the National Guard and Marines for protecting federal missions, property and people in Los Angeles.
"At its peak on June 6, there were thousands of rioters in LA. Just two months later, on Aug. 5, there were a meager 20 to 25 protesters in and around LA," she said.
"The deployment of 4,700 DOD service members played a crucial role in deterring rioters and ultimately bringing peace back to Los Angeles. In its support of federal law enforcement missions, DOD regularly assisted federal law enforcement and protected them from harm," Wilson said.
Last month, the defense secretary ordered the withdrawal of about 1,350 California National Guardsmen from the federal protection mission. Approximately 300 guardsmen remain in Los Angeles to continue protecting federal personnel and property, she said.
"DOD will continue to protect federal missions, property and people as we work to ensure violent agitators cannot undermine the rule of law and order in the United States," she added.
This week, Hegseth announced that the Reconciliation Monument will be returned to Arlington National Cemetery after it was "unceremoniously" removed. "We don't believe in erasing American history — we honor it," he said.
The Reconciliation Monument, aka the Confederate Memorial, was designed by Moses Jacob Ezekiel, a Confederate veteran.
In June 1900, Congress passed legislation setting aside Section 16 of the cemetery for the burial of Confederate troops.
By December 1901, 482 Confederate service members' remains were removed from the cemeteries at Alexandria, Virginia; the Soldiers' Home in Washington; and portions of Arlington National Cemetery and buried in Section 16.
The United Daughters of the Confederacy asked that a memorial to the Confederate troops be erected there. Secretary of War William Howard Taft granted the request on March 4, 1906.
The monument was dedicated by President Woodrow Wilson on June 4, 1914, the 106th anniversary of the birthday of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. The memorial is 32 feet high. Atop the memorial is a life-size statue of a female representing "The South," crowned in victory with a wreath of olive leaves. She gestures toward the south with a laurel wreath to "crown" the sacrifice her "sons" made in war. In her right hand is a pruning hook, and at her feet is a plow.
This statue rests on a circular base on which is inscribed the Old Testament passage: "And they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks."
Later today, on Purple Heart Day, Hegseth will be at the White House for a Purple Heart event hosted by President Donald J. Trump.
"The department honors the courage and sacrifice of all Purple Heart recipients," she said.
"The Purple Heart is the nation's oldest military award, and today, we reflect on the dedication and courage of the men and women who have given so much for our freedom. We continue to honor their legacy and extend our gratitude for their unwavering service," Wilson said.
Separately, NATO is delivering to meet immediate needs for Ukraine through investment by the alliance, she said.
"We recognize the leadership of Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Sweden to fund over $1 billion much-needed American weapons and equipment to Ukraine. This process supports the president's priority: ending the bloodshed, stopping the killing and achieving a ceasefire," Wilson said.
Five soldiers were wounded by an active-duty gunman yesterday at Fort Stewart, Georgia. The incident remains under investigation.
"Secretary Hegseth expresses his full support to the Fort Stewart community, and our prayers remain with the wounded soldiers and their families. We commend the swift actions of those soldiers who subdued the suspect, as well as the first responders and Fort Stewart leadership," she said.