The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is making a symbolically significant change to its official seal, choosing an eagle that now looks towards a bundle of arrows rather than an olive branch. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced the redesign while emphasizing the department’s ongoing battle against various threats, including terrorism, drug cartels, cyberattacks, and drones.
The redesign coincides with the upcoming 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, intending to communicate a clear message about the department’s current mission.
Details of the Seal Revision
The core of the redesign is the repositioned eagle at the center of the DHS seal. Previously, the eagle faced an olive branch, reflecting a symbol of peace. In the updated version, the eagle turns its gaze towards the arrows, signifying readiness for conflict. The rest of the seal remains largely unchanged, maintaining its shield imagery that represents the nation’s air, land, and sea domains. The stars above the shield continue to symbolize the various organizations unified under DHS during its creation.
Reason Behind the New Seal
According to Mullin, the redesign mirrors the department’s contemporary mission and security environment. He stated that DHS continually faces dynamic threats which require vigilant responses across multiple domains. These threats encompass terrorism, organized crime, cyberattacks, drone incursions, and more emergent risks. Mullin portrayed the seal update as a visual declaration of DHS’s active duty to guard the nation against such dangers.
History of the Homeland Security Seal
The existing seal originated with the establishment of DHS following the 9/11 attacks. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 led to DHS’s formation, merging 22 federal entities into a consolidated Cabinet-level department tasked with coordinating domestic security. The seal was conceptualized to reflect the founding mission and integrated agencies.
Consisting of symbols representing the American homeland and the original agencies, the seal had remained nearly unchanged for over 20 years until now.
Statements from Secretary Markwayne Mullin
Mullin discussed the redesign during an interview on Fox News’ The Sunday Briefing. He highlighted the evolving threats, stressing terrorism remains a primary concern. Mullin noted connections between terrorist groups and drug cartels and raised awareness of cyber threats from nations like China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. He also pointed to drone activities and violence against public officials as persistent issues.
Mullin explained the redesign’s symbolism by stating, “If you look at most of our seals throughout all the agencies, the eagle looks to the palm because that’s in a time of peace. We’re actually changing our seal to make it look towards the arrows, because when it looks towards the arrows is when it means we’re at war.”