The White House insists reopening the Department of Homeland Security is critical for securing the 2026 World Cup after a shooting incident near Trump.
A 31-year-old man was charged with attempting to assassinate the U.S. president after being caught with a semi-automatic handgun, a pump-action shotgun, and three knives while breaching a security checkpoint at a Washington gala on Saturday. Authorities say he bypassed checks during the White House Correspondents' Association dinner. The suspect did not enter a plea during his initial court appearance on Monday. This event has prompted an urgent review of White House security protocols.
Officials organizing the 2026 World Cup in the United States have raised alarms about the ongoing partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The incident at the gala served as a stark warning about unpredictable threats to national security. Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House World Cup task force, stated in a statement that the chaos highlighted the urgent need for a fully operational DHS. He emphasized that swift law enforcement action prevented potential tragedy but stressed the dangers of complacency.
The DHS, which plays a key role in securing major events like the World Cup, has been partially shut down for nine weeks due to a funding dispute in Congress. Officials warn the shutdown has disrupted preparations and weakened coordination between local and federal agencies. The conflict stems from Democratic opposition to funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which falls under DHS, unless reforms are implemented following two fatal shootings by federal agents in Minneapolis in January. The standoff has lasted over 110 days, raising concerns about security readiness.
President Trump has urged Republican lawmakers to pass legislation by early June to end the shutdown. New York congressman Mike Lawler, whose district includes a World Cup host venue, criticized the prolonged closure as reckless. He noted the department’s role in coordinating security for the tournament, calling the situation 'insane' given the high terrorism risk. Lawler also emphasized the global stakes, remarking that the U.S. is currently engaged in conflict. The World Cup, featuring 48 teams, will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Giuliani underscored the administration’s commitment to addressing security challenges under Trump’s leadership. He described the upcoming World Cup as an 'unprecedented scale' event, requiring flawless security operations across multiple U.S. cities. The task force leader warned that the stakes are too high to ignore the vulnerabilities exposed by the shutdown. He stressed that reopening DHS is not just important but 'essential' for safeguarding the tournament and the nation.