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FIFA World Cup Security at Risk After 76-Day Funding Freeze
(MENAFN) Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin sounded the alarm Saturday over a protracted federal funding lapse that has severely hampered security preparations for next month's FIFA World Cup matches on US soil, placing the safety of hundreds of thousands of spectators in doubt, according to American media.
The Hill reported that Mullin leveled sharp criticism at Democrats, accusing them of recklessly undermining Department of Homeland Security (DHS) readiness and endangering public safety in the lead-up to one of the world's most-watched sporting events.
Addressing reporters at a DHS news conference in Kansas City alongside Rep. Mark Alford, Mullin expressed confidence that the agency would ultimately secure the tournament — but conceded that the delay had cost the department critical preparation time.
"We haven't been able to be as proactive on putting those positions — those safety measures in place," said Mullin. "We have so much work to do."
'Put Their Safety in Jeopardy'
Kansas City is slated to host six World Cup matches between June 16 and July 11 as part of the broader tournament spanning the US, Mexico, and Canada. Mullin squarely attributed the 76-day funding freeze to Democrats, warning that the shortfall had eroded law enforcement readiness and left spectators dangerously exposed.
"They really put the 600,000 people who are going to be at these matches ... put their safety in jeopardy," he said.
Alford threw his full weight behind the administration's position, telling Newsmax, "Robust immigration enforcement is not a political issue. It's a national security imperative."
The warnings follow earlier testimony from Transportation Security Administration Acting Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill, who had previously cautioned Congress that chronic staffing shortages stemming from the funding gap could undermine airport security operations in the critical weeks ahead of the tournament.
On the opposing front, the American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International, and a coalition of more than 100 organizations have voiced forceful opposition to the Trump administration's immigration and security measures tied to the event, deepening the political fault lines surrounding the World Cup's US staging.
The Hill reported that Mullin leveled sharp criticism at Democrats, accusing them of recklessly undermining Department of Homeland Security (DHS) readiness and endangering public safety in the lead-up to one of the world's most-watched sporting events.
Addressing reporters at a DHS news conference in Kansas City alongside Rep. Mark Alford, Mullin expressed confidence that the agency would ultimately secure the tournament — but conceded that the delay had cost the department critical preparation time.
"We haven't been able to be as proactive on putting those positions — those safety measures in place," said Mullin. "We have so much work to do."
'Put Their Safety in Jeopardy'
Kansas City is slated to host six World Cup matches between June 16 and July 11 as part of the broader tournament spanning the US, Mexico, and Canada. Mullin squarely attributed the 76-day funding freeze to Democrats, warning that the shortfall had eroded law enforcement readiness and left spectators dangerously exposed.
"They really put the 600,000 people who are going to be at these matches ... put their safety in jeopardy," he said.
Alford threw his full weight behind the administration's position, telling Newsmax, "Robust immigration enforcement is not a political issue. It's a national security imperative."
The warnings follow earlier testimony from Transportation Security Administration Acting Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill, who had previously cautioned Congress that chronic staffing shortages stemming from the funding gap could undermine airport security operations in the critical weeks ahead of the tournament.
On the opposing front, the American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International, and a coalition of more than 100 organizations have voiced forceful opposition to the Trump administration's immigration and security measures tied to the event, deepening the political fault lines surrounding the World Cup's US staging.
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