DHS shutdown could delay terror threat response capabilities, expert warns

The Department of Homeland Security’s partial government shutdown could affect how the federal government can deal with 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 Homeland Security commander for Phoenix police, told Fox News Digital that U.S. military actions “could escalate the mindset of some of these outlying or outlying terrorist entities” looking to take action.

“We’ve seen historically that when there’s a conflict, particularly in the Middle East, where there’s increased tension, where there’s military action, and now where there’s a declaration of war, it creates a significant impact on our ability to work collectively to share intelligence and gather timely information from our federal partners,” Halstead said. he said. “With the current Department of Homeland Security shutdown, if something were to happen here in the United States, there could be some significant delays because FEMA and other very, very critical parts of the federal government have basically been shut down.”

He particularly drew attention to the weekend terrorist attack in Austin, Texas, which killed 2 people and injured 14 people. Naturalized suspect Ndiaga Diagne, 53, born in Senegal, was also killed.

Authorities said they were investigating the shooting, which occurred at a bar around 2 a.m. on Sunday, as a “possible link to terrorism” after Diagne appeared wearing a sweatshirt saying “Property of God” and a tank top depicting the Iranian flag. A Quran was also later seized from his vehicle, and an Iranian flag and pictures of regime leaders were found in his home.

The attack came after joint US-Israeli military strikes against Iran that began on Saturday morning killed the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other leaders, triggering a broader conflict in the Middle East.

Halstead, who is also director of strategic accounts at Genasys, a provider of communications hardware and software that helps communities in emergencies, warned that events such as the World Cup soccer matches in the United States later this year and America’s 250th anniversary could make the United States an “increasing target” if the conflict in the Middle East continues.

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He also said that whenever a government shutdown occurs, there is “a pretty significant distraction, both politically and administratively, in every aspect of our federal government and the way the government operates.”

“Sometimes some of these critical institutions are understaffed and some institutions are not funded at all,” he said. “This will delay and possibly block some of the critical intelligence that local police need to have, which would be terrorist threat level intelligence, so that patrol officers, patrol officers, and all supervisors can understand the latest and greatest threats, including high-profile targets that may be on the radar of some of these active cells in the United States.”

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

Halstead said he hasn’t seen any evidence that the Austin shooting is directly linked to the government shutdown.

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

“But when there are military actions abroad, especially in many of these high-profile terrorist organizations or countries that host terrorists, it elevates the mindset of other people in America to act against American citizens and institutions,” he explained. “It could be schools and religious places and it could be the way we live our lives freely.”

“When these terrorism-related events occur abroad, it instills in the mindset of some of these lone wolf-style actors the idea of ​​taking action,” he continued. “And if you look [the case in Austin]This is exactly what the FBI has profiled to date; “This was probably a lone wolf acting in response to military action against Iran and then wearing a ‘Property of God’ shirt that communicated his religious belief and/or possible ties to some terrorism.”

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

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

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., argued that DHS still has plenty of money left over from the spending bill Trump signed last year and that Democrats won’t suddenly abandon their demands for reform. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, told The Hill he sees 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,” King said.

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

Republicans argue that the conflict makes DHS funding even more necessary; House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) writes of

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

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

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