Department of Homeland Security (DHS) chief Markwayne Mullin warned that President Donald Trump and his family remain top targets of threats from Iran, saying on “The Sunday Briefing” that officials receive intelligence about potential threats daily as concerns grow over the use of drones.
“Well, every single day during our presidential briefings, we receive aspirational threats from Iran. We know that President Trump — and his family — is target number one,” Mullin said.
Mullin’s remarks came amid questions about a report alleging Israeli intelligence had identified a potential Iranian plot involving explosive-laden drones targeting Trump. While he did not confirm the specific report, Mullin said officials were aware of threats.
Mullin also called countering unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) his “number one issue,” citing increasingly sophisticated drone technology, cartel activity along the southern border and vulnerabilities at major public gatherings.
US MILITARY TOOK DOWN APPROXIMATELY 100 SUSPECTED CARTEL DRONES AT SOUTHERN BORDER IN AUGUST
“Our counter-UAS measures need help, and DHS is leading that, because we encounter more drones on our southern border because of the cartels and the fight we’re having with them every single day trying to get drugs into the United States. And we’re seeing new technologies that we’re having a hard time defeating right now,” he continued.
Mexican cartels are reported to be using commercial and modified drones to watch U.S. security personnel, map patrol routines and support smuggling corridors along the southern border as authorities expand efforts to disable the aircraft.
The U.S. military detected 378 drone incursions along the border during the previous 30 days, Brig. Gen. Brian Filler of Joint Task Force-Southern Border told reporters. He said the trend was increasing, and the aircraft were typically commercial drones with cameras used for surveillance tied to smuggling and human trafficking.
Mullin said drone threats extend well beyond the southern border, pointing to security concerns at major sporting events and other large gatherings.
During the FIFA World Cup, for instance, Mullin said law enforcement encountered more than 2,000 drones, confiscated 700 and made multiple arrests. He noted that Los Angeles will host the Olympics in 2028.
But the DHS secretary warned that drone security is also needed at everyday gatherings, including high school football games, parades and professional sporting events.
“There are holes in our counter-UAS ability to be kinetic and bring down real threats,” Mullin said, adding that he was coordinating with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on the matter due to issues of airspace clearance.
Mullin said he has established a dedicated counter-drone department within DHS as the agency works to address gaps in its ability to neutralize potential threats.
Fox News Digital’s Armando Regil Velasco contributed to this report.
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