DHS Seal Redesigned to Reflect Evolving Security Mission

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is updating its official seal. This change is not just minor in appearance but holds symbolic importance. The new design will feature an eagle that faces towards a bundle of arrows, rather than an olive branch. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced this update, describing DHS as being ‘at war every single day’ against a variety of threats including terrorism, drug cartels, cyberattacks, and drones.

New Changes in the Seal

The main focus of the redesign is the eagle central to the DHS seal. Currently, the eagle faces the olive branch, symbolizing peace. In the updated version, the eagle will face the arrows. Despite this change, the rest of the seal will largely remain the same. The eagle’s shield will continue to depict imagery representing air, land, and sea domains of the nation. The stars above the shield symbolize the agencies that came together under DHS. This change in the eagle’s direction is primarily symbolic, not structural.

Reason for the New Seal

Mullin explained that the redesign reflects the department’s current mission and security context. He highlighted the various threats DHS faces that necessitate responses across different domains. These threats include terrorism, organized crime, cyberattacks, drone incursions, and other emerging risks. Mullin emphasized that the seal update is a visual indication of DHS’s active role in safeguarding the country from these challenges. The announcement coincides with preparations for the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, a pivotal event that led to the creation of DHS.

History of the DHS Seal

The existing seal dates back to the founding of the department after 9/11. Established by the Homeland Security Act of 2002, DHS brought together 22 federal agencies and offices to coordinate domestic security. The seal was originally designed to reflect this mission and the consolidation of these agencies. The shield on the seal symbolizes the American homeland with imagery related to air, land, and sea, while stars represent the original entities combined into DHS. The seal has remained mostly unchanged for more than two decades.

Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s Comments

Mullin discussed the seal redesign on Fox News’ The Sunday Briefing. He described the evolving threat landscape in the U.S., with terrorism still a top concern. Mullin mentioned links between terrorist groups and drug cartels, and pointed to cyber threats from countries like China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. He also noted drone activity and violence against public officials as persistent security issues. Mullin explained that, traditionally, seals feature eagles looking towards peace (olive branch). However, the eagle now looks towards the arrows to signify a stance of war, aligning with the current security climate.