Homeland Security Chief Threatens States with Funding Cuts in Ongoing Voter Suppression Push
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Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, echoing President Trump’s hardline rhetoric, threatened states with funding losses and investigations if they refuse to comply with the administration’s controversial election-security directives. The move comes amid ongoing Republican efforts to restrict voting rights under the guise of election integrity.
Washington — In a move that underscores the Trump administration’s relentless campaign to undermine democratic participation, Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin warned state officials on Friday that they could lose federal funding or face investigations if they do not comply with the administration’s restrictive election-security demands. This threat follows President Donald Trump’s primetime address, which amplified unfounded fears about election integrity ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
“We absolutely can build confidence in the American people, but the states have to do their part,” Mullin said, repeating the administration’s narrative that shifts blame onto states for supposed vulnerabilities.
Mullin cited a dubious claim that 250,000 non-citizen voters were found on voter rolls in four states, relying on questionable data. Election officials in California and Pennsylvania responded responsibly, agreeing to review the findings but emphasizing that non-citizen voting is extremely rare and that existing safeguards are already in place to prevent such occurrences.
California Governor Gavin Newsom pushed back on social media, affirming that the state’s elections are “free, fair, and secure.” Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar highlighted the state’s ongoing efforts to maintain accurate voter rolls, countering the administration’s alarmist messaging.
Mullin also pressured states to join the Department’s SAVE program, a controversial voter-list verification tool expanded under Trump. He threatened that non-participation could result in fines, penalties, or even criminal prosecution, further escalating federal overreach into state-run elections.
“If you are an illegal or you are voting illegally, we will hunt you down, we will find you and we will prosecute you,” Mullin declared, invoking inflammatory language that stokes fear and division.
Legal experts have repeatedly pointed out that the federal government lacks the authority to force states to hand over sensitive voter data, describing Mullin’s threats as legally baseless. The SAVE program itself was recently blocked by a federal judge due to privacy concerns and the risk of wrongful voter purges.
Mullin announced that the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency would issue an updated election-infrastructure plan within 30 days and offer cyber-threat resources to states participating in SAVE. Critics noted that the agency’s effectiveness has been undermined by the Trump administration’s cuts to staff and the absence of a Senate-confirmed director, further weakening election security.
“The fact that they think they’re going to come in prior to the general election in November and provide us infrastructure, that’s nuts,” Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar said, expressing skepticism about the administration’s last-minute interventions.
Meanwhile, the administration’s broader push for the SAVE Act—which would require proof of citizenship for voter registration and disproportionately disenfranchise marginalized communities—remains stalled in the Senate.