DHS shutdown could delay terror threat response capabilities, expert warns

Partial government shutdown Department of Homeland Security This could impact how the federal government is able to address potential terrorist threats in the United States, a public safety expert said, warning that the escalating conflict with Iran could embolden those who want to harm Americans.

Jeffrey Halstead, a retired police chief in Fort Worth, Texas, and former chief of homeland security for Phoenix police, told Fox News Digital that US military actions could “escalate the mindset of some of these far-flung or remote terrorist entities” wanting to take action.

“We have seen historically that any time there is a conflict, especially in the Middle East with escalating tensions, military action and now a declaration of war, there is a significant impact on our ability to act collectively to share intelligence and collect timely information from our federal partners,” Halstead said. “With the current shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, if something were to happen here in the United States, there could be some significant delays because FEMA and other critically important departments of the federal government have essentially shut down.”

He specifically referred to the terrorist attack that occurred in Austin, Texas, over the weekend, which killed two people and injured 14 others. The suspect, 53-year-old Ndiaja Diagne, a naturalized citizen born in Senegal, was also killed.

A partial government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security could impact the federal government’s ability to confront potential terrorist threats in the United States, a public safety expert warned. (David de Delgado/Reuters)

Authorities said they were shooting investigation, Which happened at a bar at around 2am on Sunday, was described as a “possible terrorist link” where Diani appeared to be wearing a sweatshirt with the words “King of God” written on it and an undershirt depicting the Iranian flag. A Qur’an was later found from his car, and an Iranian flag and pictures of regime leaders were found in his home.

This attack comes after joint American-Israeli military strikes It started against Iran On Saturday morning, the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other leaders were killed, sparking a broader conflict in the Middle East.

Halstead, who also serves as director of strategic accounts at Genasys, a company that provides communications hardware and software that helps communities during emergencies, warned that events in the United States later this year, such as World Cup soccer matches and… 250th anniversary of America’s foundingIt could make the United States an “escalating target” if the conflict in the Middle East remains active.

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He also said that any time there is a government shutdown, there seems to be “very significant fragmentation, politically and administratively, in every aspect of our federal government and the way the government operates.”

“Sometimes there is a reduction in staffing in some of these critical agencies, and some agencies are not funded at all,” he said. “This will delay and potentially hinder some of that critical intelligence, which could be intelligence on the level of terrorist threat, that needs to be in the hands of local police, so that strike officers, patrol officers, as well as all supervisors, can understand the latest and greatest threats, including high-profile targets that could be on the radar of some of these active cells in the United States.”

He added that the government shutdown is having an impact on the ability to “get that intelligence as quickly as possible into the hands of those who need it” and that delays could be “absolutely disastrous” if the information is ignored or not sent.

Halstead noted that he has seen no evidence that the shooting in Austin is directly related to the government shutdown.

Police secure the scene outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden in downtown Austin after a shooting left three people dead and more than a dozen injured. (Ricardo P. Brasil/Austin American-Statesman via AP; obtained by Fox News)

“However, when there are military actions abroad, especially in a lot of these high-profile terrorist organizations or terrorist host countries, that elevates the mindset of other people to take action against American citizens and institutions in America,” he explained. “These may be schools, religious sites, they may be the way we live our lives freely.”

He continued: “When these incidents related to terrorism occur abroad, this instills in the mentality of some of these actors who act in a lone wolf manner to take the necessary measures.” “And if you look at [the case in Austin]”This is exactly what the FBI has described so far, which is that this was a lone wolf who was perhaps acting on military action taken against Iran, and then wearing a T-shirt that said ‘Ownership of God’ indicating either his religious beliefs and/or the possibility of some terrorist ties.”

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In a statement to Fox News Digital, the Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem “I am coordinating directly with our federal intelligence and law enforcement partners as we continue to closely monitor and thwart any potential threats to the homeland,” he said.

Department of Homeland Security, President Donald Trump Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill continue to blame Democrats for the shutdown. After the conflict with Iran began over the weekend, Democratic lawmakers remained unmoved, including those who voted to end the government shutdown in November.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said the Department of Homeland Security still has plenty of money left over from Trump’s spending bill signed last year and that Democrats would not suddenly abandon their demands for reform. Sen. Angus King, R-Maine, told The Hill he saw no connection between the funding negotiations and the ongoing war in Iran.

“I don’t think there is any relationship between FEMA and Iran or the Coast Guard for that matter,” King said.

A general view of Tehran with smoke visible in the distance after explosions were reported in the city, on March 2, 2026, in Tehran, Iran. (Contributor/Getty Images)

Republicans assert that the conflict makes DHS funding more necessary, with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Los Angeles, writing on X: “After successful strikes on Iran and the FBI warning of growing threats here at home, it is dangerous for Democrats in Washington to keep DHS closed.”

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The funding battle “looks like every other lockdown we’ve seen,” Halstead said, adding that “it becomes one side against the other, and then they’ll make some strong allegations and statements and then the other side will publicly retaliate.”

“This is probably some of the worst infighting I think I’ve seen in almost 40 years,” he said.

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