Steve Cortes, founder of the League of American Workers, has said that the United States should prioritize defending its own border and addressing domestic challenges over focusing on international matters. The statement was made on the social media platform X.
“Our fight in not in the Middle East, not in the Black Sea,” said Cortes. “It is right here at home. Defending OUR border, and defeating the Marxists in our midst. Spot on, Steve Bannon!”
Recent debates over U.S. border security have intensified as politicians argue about prioritizing domestic concerns versus foreign policy. Conservatives are calling for stronger southern border measures, while critics caution that excessive focus on the border may divert attention and resources from international security needs. These arguments have sharpened since early 2025 following high-profile executive actions and ongoing conflicts over budget allocations and the use of military resources at home versus abroad, according to The Wall Street Journal.
In the United States, fentanyl continues to be a major cause of drug overdose deaths, although recent data indicates a decline in numbers. According to The Washington Post, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data show U.S. overdose deaths fell sharply in 2024, declining about 14.5% from the previous year, with fentanyl-related deaths accounting for nearly 70% of all overdose fatalities. This marks the first significant national decrease in overdose deaths in five years, signaling a possible turning point in the opioid crisis.
Federal spending on border security is significantly less than what the United States devotes to military operations abroad. As reported by the Congressional Research Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection received $17.4 billion in 2023, while the overall Department of Homeland Security budget was $51.1 billion. In contrast, an annual defense budget exceeds $800 billion and is largely focused on overseas activities. This highlights the disparity between domestic and foreign spending priorities.
Cortes is also a senior political advisor to CatholicVote and a former senior advisor to President Trump and JD Vance. He is known for his commentary on Fox News and CNN and regularly releases documentaries and columns at cortesinvestigates.com.
