Federal Response to Hurricane Isaias

On October 11, 2026, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin appeared on CBS News' "Face the Nation" to discuss several critical topics, including the recent landfall of Hurricane Isaias. The storm, which hit Friday night, resulted in the deaths of four people and left hundreds of thousands without power. Secretary Mullin detailed the federal response, emphasizing close coordination between the Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, and the affected states' governors. Mullin noted, "We were in touch with all the governors that are affected and might be affected by the continuing storm moving across the nation."

Mullin credited President Trump and FEMA Director Cam Hamilton with pre-positioning assets in every state at risk. He reported that, based on conversations with state leaders, officials were "in good shape" and working together. The FEMA response included life-saving actions, with the Coast Guard actively involved in water rescues and vessel recovery, especially near the Mississippi River and coastal areas. Mullin underscored the importance of teamwork across local, state, and federal agencies in these emergency situations.

FEMA Coordination and State Partnerships

The interview touched on the effectiveness of FEMA coordination and strong partnerships among states. Mullin highlighted how governors, such as Brian Kemp of Georgia and Ron DeSantis of Florida, communicated and assisted one another with resource allocation, especially in areas suffering from power outages. The Secretary praised the professionalism and readiness of local responders and described the effort as a model of multi-level cooperation in disaster recovery.

DHS Officer-Involved Shootings and Police Pursuit Concerns

Moderator Margaret Brennan raised questions regarding an uptick in DHS officer-involved shootings—citing at least 30 such incidents during the Trump administration. She referenced a recent event in New York City involving a man identified as Oscar, whose extensive criminal record was detailed by Mullin. The Secretary explained that officers were conducting an undercover operation when Oscar, who was believed to be armed and known to have evaded law enforcement previously, allegedly attempted to flee with his five-year-old child in the vehicle. Mullin maintained that officers gave lawful commands, displayed their badges, and took precautions, but that Oscar's actions endangered both his child and law enforcement officers. He emphasized the importance of releasing full investigation findings, including body camera footage, after ongoing investigations conclude.

Nidal Hassan Execution Livestream Debate

The interview addressed controversy surrounding plans to livestream the upcoming execution by firing squad of Nidal Hassan, convicted of killing 13 service members in 2009. Secretary Mullin expressed his lack of sympathy for Hassan and stated, "No one has to watch it if they don't choose to." When pressed about risks of creating a martyrdom scenario or encouraging radicalization, Mullin said the Department of Homeland Security continuously weighs such risks but did not view the livestreaming as producing an elevated threat to the homeland. He underscored the administration’s commitment to letting criminal punishments serve as deterrence.

Use of Customs and Border Protection Funds for Advertising

Brennan questioned Secretary Mullin about the use of approximately $20 million in Customs and Border Protection funding for public service ads highlighting President Trump’s accomplishments. The Secretary defended the decision as an opportunity to promote positive news about America and the administration’s efforts, stating, "Anytime we can do a public service announcement and brag about America, I'm all about it." He did not indicate any plans for taxpayer reimbursement of past ad spending, despite the president’s commitment to have his political action committee fund future ads.

Border Security and DHS Priorities

Secretary Mullin concluded the interview by referencing major statistical gains cited by the administration in areas such as border security, falling fentanyl deaths, and lower crime rates. He stressed that DHS’s core mission remains protecting the United States, praising the department’s 270,000 employees for their dedication to homeland security under the Trump administration.

Source: cbsnews.com.