DHS Secretary Mullin Announces Federal Election Grant Conditions Tied to Voter Roll Reviews

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin held a press conference on July 17 in the Indian Treaty Room at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. He stated that the Department of Homeland Security would require states to secure voting machines and review voter registration lists to receive federal grants.

Mullin said the department had identified nearly 278,000 foreign nationals registered to vote nationwide, including 250,000 across California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Nevada.

Mullin said the department sent letters to election officials stating that prosecution could follow if non-citizen voters are found. He added that the department is examining individuals in the intelligence community and the administration of former President Joe Biden for possible accountability.

"Everybody who purposely misled the American people, abused their power and authority, and decided not to continue doing their job will be held accountable," Mullin stated.

Mullin described as shameful the decision by major television networks to decline to air President Donald Trump’s July 16 primetime address. Trump had requested airtime from ABC, NBC, and CNN, which declined to carry the half-hour speech in full, while Fox News aired it with caveats.

California Governor Gavin Newsom posted on social media that California has free, fair, and secure elections and will fight for them. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez stated that the FCC has no authority to punish a station for refusing to air a political speech and called any threat to revoke licenses unconstitutional.