Congressmen call for National Guard to address drone threats at the World Cup
New Delhi: Two Republican members of Congress are urging the Trump administration to authorise the National Guard to help counter potential drone threats and ensure a “unified federal security posture” during the upcoming FIFA World Cup matches.
In a letter sent Friday, U.S. Representatives Michael McCaul and Elijah Crane—both members of the House of Representative’s Committee on Homeland Security—called on U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth to take immediate interagency action.
They emphasised the need to secure airspace over the 11 U.S. host cities.
Potential personnel shortages and complex jurisdictional divides between organisers and host cities could lead to a fragmented environment, they said, adding that the situation requires a unified federal security posture.
“With its rapid deployability, nationwide scalability, and extensive experience responding to domestic emergencies, the National Guard is uniquely positioned to assist federal and state authorities with C-UAS mitigation and unified coordination for World Cup security,” they wrote.
The Department of Homeland Security, Justice Department, and Pentagon did not provide an immediate response to requests for comment.
The appeal came just a day before the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, raising fresh concerns about security ahead of the tournament.
Despite the incident, the White House on Monday said preparations remain on track.
“President Trump is focused on ensuring that this is not only an incredible experience for all fans and visitors, but also the safest and most secure in history,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle said in a statement.
(DD News)
