I have heard Dianne Feinstein use the word "Homeland" outside of the context of the department itself. I'd guess that Lindsey Graham and others are also doing t

I have heard Dianne Feinstein use the word "Homeland" outside of the context of the department itself. I'd guess that Lindsey Graham and others are also doing this. The more traditional phrase, Republic, used by Benjamin Franklin, and in the pledge of Allegiance is, as your article points out, more closely ties the U.S. to certain philosophical principles, whereas the term homeland is restricted to the physical, geographic location and the individuals in it. If the lexicon is reduced to physical protection, than it's less vulnerable to arguments of lost liberty.