White House officials have declared that reopening the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is "essential" for the upcoming World Cup, following an assassination attempt on President Donald Trump at a Washington DC gala. The incident, where a man armed with a handgun, shotgun, and knives breached security at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, has prompted a security review and renewed concerns about preparedness for the 2026 tournament.
Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House World Cup task force, stated: "The swift response by law enforcement and Secret Service agents saved lives, but the chaos underscored the critical need for a fully operational DHS." He emphasized that with millions of visitors and numerous events expected, a functioning DHS is crucial.
The DHS has been partially shut down for nine weeks due to a congressional funding dispute, hampering coordination for World Cup security. President Trump has urged Republicans to resolve the impasse by June. The shutdown stems from Democratic opposition to funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without reforms, following two deadly shootings by federal agents.