Key Takeaways
- Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin testified that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reviewing contracts awarded under former Secretary Kristi Noem, noting several were purchased far above appraised value.
- Mullin said active contracts cannot be cancelled unless the DHS Inspector General (IG) finds fraud or falsification; he deferred to ongoing IG investigations.
- He stressed that the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) needs to grow its workforce from roughly 2,200 to about 2,800 employees to fulfill partnership and grant‑making missions.
- Mullin’s staffing call conflicts with the Trump administration’s FY 2027 budget proposal, which would cut CISA’s budget by $707 million relative to FY 2025 levels.
- Regarding the AI cybersecurity clearinghouse directed by President Trump’s executive order, Mullin affirmed that Treasury will lead while CISA provides support, citing frequent coordination with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
- Mullin hinted that a new CISA director nominee is imminent, emphasizing the need for a leader who can recruit staff and strengthen CISA’s cybersecurity mission.
Overview of Mullin’s Testimony and Contract Review
During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on Wednesday, Secretary Markwayne Mullin addressed concerns raised by Ranking Member Bennie Thompson (D‑Miss.) about questionable contract actions taken under his predecessor, former Secretary Kristi Noem. Thompson cited public records showing that warehouses had been acquired for two to three times their appraised value and referenced a $200 million advertising campaign featuring the secretary riding horses, labeling such spending as wasteful “grifting.” Mullin acknowledged these issues, stating that DHS had “stopped the contracts moving forward” if they had not already been signed, indicating a pause on new award actions while the department evaluates the legacy of the Noem era.
Inspector General Investigations and Limits on Contract Cancellation
When pressed on whether the administration could rescind active contracts deemed problematic, Mullin deferred to the DHS Office of the Inspector General (IG). He explained that he lacks unilateral authority to cancel contracts unless the IG concludes that the award process involved fraud, false pretenses, or other punishable violations. “Unless the IG takes a look at them and says that they were falsely signed, false circumstances, I can’t cancel unless it’s under penalty,” Mullin said. He noted that several IG investigations are already underway, though he had not been briefed on their specific scopes, and emphasized that any contract modifications would await the IG’s findings.
CISA Staffing Requirements and Mission Capacity
Mullin shifted focus to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, highlighting a significant personnel shortfall. He reported that CISA’s staff had declined from roughly 3,400 employees under prior administrations to about 2,200 during the Trump era, largely due to deferred resignations and early retirements. To effectively partner with state and local governments, administer grant programs, and bolster cyber defenses, Mullin asserted that CISA likely needs approximately 2,800 staff members. He warned that without adequate personnel, the agency would struggle to meet its mission, especially as cyber threats intensify and increasingly target private‑sector partners.
Budgetary Tension with the FY 2027 Request
The secretary’s staffing ambitions appear at odds with the Trump administration’s fiscal 2027 budget proposal for CISA, which calls for a $707 million reduction compared to FY 2025 spending levels. Mullin did not directly address the budget cut in his testimony, but his call for hundreds of additional hires implicitly conflicts with a plan that would constrain the agency’s financial resources. Observers noted that achieving the desired workforce expansion would likely require either supplemental funding, reprioritization of existing accounts, or congressional intervention to override the administration’s requested reductions.
Role in the AI Cybersecurity Clearinghouse
Later in the hearing, Mullin was questioned about why CISA is not taking the lead on the governmentwide “AI cybersecurity clearinghouse” mandated by President Trump’s recent AI security executive order. The order designates the Treasury Department as the primary agency responsible for establishing the clearinghouse, with CISA serving in a supporting capacity. Mullin defended this arrangement, explaining that CISA’s broad interagency interactions make it a natural partner, but that the financial‑gain focus of AI‑driven threats aligns more closely with Treasury’s expertise. He emphasized ongoing collaboration with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, noting frequent communication and confidence in Treasury’s leadership while CISA contributes its specialized tools and authorities.
Prospects for a New CISA Director and Vision for the Agency
Mullin concluded his remarks by hinting that a new CISA director nomination is forthcoming. He referenced the earlier withdrawal of Sean Plankey’s nomination after Senate delays and expressed confidence that a suitable candidate would soon be put forward. “We’ve got a person soon to be nominated that will be running CISA that has the ability to recruit and focus on the authorities we have,” Mullin said, adding that the goal is for CISA to reclaim its position as the nation’s cybersecurity leader. He stressed that the incoming director would need to rebuild staffing, strengthen state‑local partnerships, and ensure that CISA can effectively deploy its grant resources and technical capabilities to counter evolving cyber threats.