With the first match of the FIFA World Cup just 30 days away, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin warns that the agency is playing a high-stakes game of “catch-up.”
Speaking on FOX Business Network’s The Bottom Line, Mullin detailed the massive security hurdles facing the U.S. following a historic 76-day government shutdown that ended earlier this year.
The scale of the upcoming tournament is unprecedented. Beginning June 12 in Los Angeles, 11 U.S. cities will host a series of matches that Mullin compared to hosting “78 Super Bowls in 38 days.”
Officials expect between five and seven million visitors to descend on the country, with a global television audience projected to come in at 1.7 billion.
However, the DHS chief noted that the recent funding lapse has left the department reactive rather than proactive. During an interview with hosts Brian Brenberg and Dagen McDowell, Mullin revealed that the agency lost roughly 8.6% of its workforce during the shutdown, including 1,100 employees from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
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“You can’t have a facility like this without secured comms,” Mullin said, referring to the various tournament stadiums. “Plus, you have got to be able to prevent the hacking going on during the game, because that takes place constantly.”
The Secretary also expressed concern regarding physical security and the vetting of travelers. He noted that “bad actors” may attempt to use the massive influx of visitors to enter the country using fraudulent paperwork.
In Kansas City, which is slated to host six matches, Mullin noted that local law enforcement had been working since February to harden defenses and secure perimeters without being reimbursed due to the budget impasse.
“We weren’t able to be proactive like we need to be and put in the hard work,” Mullin told FOX Business. “So now we’re playing catch-up.”
The funding debate continues to simmer on Capitol Hill as Senate Republicans push a $72 billion reconciliation bill. The package includes $1 billion earmarked for security at a new White House ballroom—a project Mullin defended as a necessary upgrade against modern threats like drone attacks and chemical agents.
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While the ballroom’s construction is privately funded, Mullin clarified that the Secret Service must use federal dollars for security to remain “above the law” and avoid the appearance of being influenced by private donors.
Despite the loss of personnel and the tight timeline, Mullin remains optimistic about the department’s ability to protect the games. He described a boost in morale at the St. Elizabeths headquarters following the restoration of funding, noting that employees “were literally cheering and high-fiving” in the hallways.
“We are more vulnerable because our adversaries weren’t shut down,” Mullin said. “Now we have both our hands free. We’re fighting with our hands, we’re fighting with our feet, and we’re fighting with our brains to make sure that we can protect the FIFA events moving forward.”
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