DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin warns states of penalties for illegal voting and election fraud

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told a press conference that election security is a matter of national security and urged states to adopt "easy" measures such as securing voting machines and scrubbing voter rolls. He warned that states could lose federal grants and face criminal penalties if they fail to cooperate, and said illegal voters could be prosecuted with up to five years in prison and fines of $250,000.

Critics note that the same administration is continuing an aggressive immigration enforcement campaign. Recent ICE incidents, including two fatal shootings and a surge in deportation cases, have drawn sharp backlash and legal challenges, highlighting concerns over the broader law‑enforcement approach tied to the election‑year agenda.