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Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin has hailed the massive World Cup security operation and cooperation between federal and local law enforcement as “fantastic.”
In an exclusive interview with Pakinomist Chief Correspondent Jonathan Hunt, Mullin said he won’t get a good night’s sleep until July 20, the day after the World Cup final, but speaking at Seattle Stadium, Mullin said he’s happy the security operation is running smoothly even in blue cities like Seattle and Los Angeles. And he hopes leaders in those cities can learn from it.
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United States fans react during the march to the pre-match World Cup Round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (Eric Hiller/AP)
“We may disagree on a lot of things when it comes to immigration and maybe some other issues,” the secretary said, “but when it comes to protecting fans and the fan experience here, in LA or in other areas around the country, we’ve all really worked together and I hope we can carry that forward between the state, federal and local partnerships. We can do a great job for our cities.”
Millions of soccer fans from around the world are experiencing the United States for the first time, and many, given the media coverage of the Trump administration in their home countries, seemed to expect a high-profile militarized security operation. But that’s not what they’ve found.
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Fans react before the World Cup Round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (Maddy Grassy/AP)
Much of the work is done undercover or in the background, a very conscious choice, Mullin said.
“We want people to enjoy their time,” he added. “We don’t want to feel like they’re going through a war zone, but we want to let everybody know that we’re also working very hard to secure the premises. I don’t care if you’re outside the stadium or if you’re inside the stadium, but the amount of officers we have that are dedicated to this from the federal, local to state is absolutely amazing, and we’re doing it together.”
Mullin also paid tribute to the role of the fans, both from the US and abroad, in making this a safe World Cup and, as many have said, possibly the best World Cup experience ever.
“They are so passionate about it and they love America,” Mullin said. “I mean, we look at the videos, my wife is absolutely in love with the amount of videos that are going on social media, with fans that are here from all over the world and are experiencing the greatness of America, which is what this is all about. We are like no other nation. I don’t care if you drive the country from coast to coast, you see the most beautiful country and we come back to the president’s country and because we come back to the president’s country. Trump 45 to bring the World Cup here to celebrate our 250th birthday.”
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin and his wife Christie Mullin in the stands before the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between the United States and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 6, 2026. (Agustin Marcarian/Reuters)
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Mullin admits he didn’t know much about soccer before the World Cup started, but like so many across the country, he has embraced the sport and is loving every minute of it, even as he and his team work 24/7 to make sure everyone is safe. And he is looking forward to a good night’s sleep on July 20.
