After the September 11th attacks, the focus of the Coast Guard and Customs agencies changed to what core mission?

The core mission of the Coast Guard and Customs agencies shifted to "Secure and manage our borders" in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks due to a heightened emphasis on preventing further terrorist incidents. This change aligned with the federal government's increased focus on national security and the protection of the homeland. The attacks underscored vulnerabilities in border security that could be exploited by individuals intending to do harm, prompting a comprehensive review of policies and tactics associated with border management.

The need for robust border security became critical, as the Coast Guard and Customs agencies took on roles that included preventing unlawful entries, detecting and interdicting potential threats, and ensuring that the flow of people and goods did not compromise national safety. This strategic pivot allowed these agencies to better coordinate efforts and resources to secure the United States from external threats, particularly from terrorism, while still considering the facilitation of legitimate trade and travel.

Other potential missions, such as intelligence gathering, assisting international law enforcement, or conducting search and rescue operations, while important, were not the primary focus of the immediate governmental response to the challenges posed by the attacks. Instead, the emphasis was on border security as a foundational element of homeland defense and protection.