Key Takeaways
- DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin participated in a fireside chat with governors at the NGA Summer Meeting in Oklahoma City, discussing state‑federal coordination, disaster relief, cybersecurity, immigration, and drone threats.
- The Governors Homeland Security Advisors Council (GHSAC) meets regularly to shape homeland security policy, monitor threats, and share best practices; its recent April meeting in Nashville included a briefing from FBI Director Kash Patel.
- NGA’s Governor’s Cybersecurity Advisors network brings state cyber leaders together to drive policy, share trends, and collaborate with federal and private partners on strengthening state cyber defenses.
- More than 30 governors urged Congress in September 2025 to pass legislation clarifying federal‑state coordination against malicious drones; Congress responded in December 2025 by authorizing trained state and territorial law‑enforcement and correctional officers to act in partnership with federal agencies.
- The bipartisan Council of Governors convened a plenary meeting during the NGA Summer Meeting to address National Guard, national security, homeland defense, and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery issues.
- NGA provides resources and ongoing engagement opportunities for governors to enhance homeland security coordination across states and territories.
Secretary Mullin’s Fireside Chat with Governors
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin attended the National Governors Association (NGA) Summer Meeting held in Oklahoma City, where he joined a fireside chat moderated by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt. The discussion covered a broad spectrum of homeland security priorities that directly affect states, including how state and federal agencies can better coordinate during emergencies, the effectiveness of current disaster‑relief mechanisms, emerging cybersecurity threats, immigration enforcement challenges, and the growing risk posed by hostile drone activity. By bringing the federal perspective to a forum of state leaders, the conversation aimed to identify gaps in communication, align resource allocation, and develop joint strategies that leverage both federal capabilities and local expertise.
The Role of the Governors Homeland Security Advisors Council (GHSAC)
The NGA’s Governors Homeland Security Advisors Council (GHSAC) serves as a standing body that convenes multiple times each year to inform and shape homeland security policy at both the state and national levels. GHSAC members stay abreast of the evolving threat environment, review the impacts of federal homeland security legislation, regulations, and policies, and disseminate best practices related to emergency management, critical infrastructure protection, and intelligence sharing. In April, the council gathered in Nashville, where it met with FBI Director Kash Patel to discuss current investigative trends and how state officials can support federal efforts. Ongoing engagement with entities such as the National Security Council and the Department of Homeland Security ensures that GHSAC remains a vital conduit for two‑way information flow between governors and federal policymakers.
Governor’s Cybersecurity Advisors Network
Recognizing the increasing sophistication of cyber threats, NGA also facilitates a network of Governor’s Cybersecurity Advisors. This network brings together the nation’s top state‑level cybersecurity officials to drive policy development, share emerging trends, and exchange best practices. Participants collaborate with federal agencies—including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)—and private‑sector partners to strengthen cyber defenses within their states and territories. Activities range from joint tabletop exercises and threat‑intelligence briefings to the formulation of state‑specific cyber incident response plans, thereby enhancing the overall resilience of the nation’s digital infrastructure.
Legislative Action on Drone Threats
The proliferation of malicious drones targeting critical infrastructure and public safety has prompted a coordinated gubernatorial response. In September 2025, more than thirty governors signed a letter to congressional leadership urging the enactment of legislation that clarifies and strengthens the coordination between federal and state authorities in countering nefarious drone operations. Their advocacy bore fruit when Congress passed a measure in December 2025 that authorizes trained and certified state and territorial law‑enforcement and correctional officers to address drone threats in conjunction with key federal agencies. This legislative step empowers states to act swiftly while maintaining federal oversight, thereby improving the nation’s ability to detect, interdict, and neutralize unauthorized or hostile unmanned aerial systems.
Plenary Meeting of the Bipartisan Council of Governors
During the NGA Summer Meeting, the bipartisan Council of Governors—a ten‑member body established by federal statute to work alongside federal officials on matters concerning the National Guard, national security, homeland defense, and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery—held a plenary session. The council’s agenda included reviewing current National Guard readiness assessments, discussing strategies for enhancing homeland defense coordination, and evaluating lessons learned from recent disaster responses. By providing a structured forum for governors to collaborate with federal partners, the Council helps ensure that state perspectives are integrated into national security planning and that resources are deployed efficiently during crises.
Resources for Continued Engagement
NGA offers a suite of resources designed to support governors’ ongoing coordination on homeland security priorities. These include policy briefings, best‑practice toolkits, webinars featuring subject‑matter experts, and access to a secure portal where state officials can share intelligence and lessons learned. Interested parties are encouraged to consult the NGA website for the latest updates on initiatives such as the GHSAC meetings, the Cybersecurity Advisors network, and legislative tracking related to drone security and emergency management. These tools enable governors to stay informed, align their efforts with federal strategies, and ultimately strengthen the safety and resilience of their constituencies.
Conclusion
The NGA Summer Meeting in Oklahoma City highlighted the critical importance of state‑federal partnership in addressing contemporary homeland security challenges. From Secretary Mullin’s direct engagement with governors to the specialized work of the GHSAC, the Cybersecurity Advisors network, and the Council of Governors, the event underscored a shared commitment to improving coordination, leveraging legislative action—particularly in the domain of drone threats—and fostering continuous learning through accessible resources. As threats evolve, these collaborative mechanisms will remain essential for safeguarding communities across the United States.