Additional Coverage:
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin was unexpectedly caught on camera making an offhand remark, saying, “you can see all the heifers,” before an interview on Newsmax’s “Wake Up America” Thursday. The comment came just before he discussed the security measures in place for the World Cup venues amid concerns about unauthorized drone activity.
During the interview, Mullin outlined the federal response to a surge of drone incursions near tournament stadiums since the event began. Officials have intercepted a total of 94 drones, with 55 neutralized and 39 confiscated. He emphasized that each unauthorized drone is regarded as a possible threat.
“Every one of those had the potential not just to be enthusiasts, but every single one of those has the potential to be a terrorist act, too,” Mullin told reporters.
He noted that this World Cup marks the first time that venues have been equipped with dedicated counter-drone technology. The deployment was accelerated due to delays caused by a prolonged government shutdown, which had hindered earlier planning efforts.
Mullin detailed the collaborative efforts among DHS, Customs and Border Protection, the Coast Guard, FBI, and Federal Protective Service to secure the tournament sites. Additionally, the FAA established restricted airspace zones extending three miles around the stadiums and up to 3,000 feet in altitude to deter unauthorized drone flights.
In recent days, Mullin personally visited security teams in Dallas and Los Angeles to assess the protective measures in place.
He also addressed concerns related to the recent expiration of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), explaining that while the lapse has slowed some intelligence-gathering activities, it has not compromised World Cup security operations.
Section 702 and FISA have historically aided authorities in monitoring foreign terrorists operating abroad who may pose threats within the U.S. Mullin said that although investigators can still pursue overseas threats, the process of obtaining records now takes longer through conventional legal channels.
“It doesn’t really put us at risk,” Mullin said. “It just slows the process of getting some of the warrants we need.” Tasks that once took hours may now take days, but officials remain capable of following leads and maintaining effective operations.