Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin has commended the extensive security operation safeguarding the World Cup and the collaboration between federal and local law enforcement agencies, describing it as "amazing."
Mullin stated in an interview that while he will not feel fully at ease until after the World Cup Final on July 20, the security measures have been running smoothly in host cities, including Los Angeles and Seattle. He expressed hope that leaders in these cities might learn from the successful inter-agency cooperation.
"We may disagree on a lot of stuff when it comes to immigration and maybe some other issues," Mullin said. "But when it comes to protecting the fans and the fans’ experience here, in LA or in other areas around the country we've all really worked together and I hope we can carry that on between the state, federal and local partnerships. We can do a good job for our cities when we work together."
Millions of international soccer fans are visiting the U.S. for the event. Mullin noted that much of the security work is conducted discreetly to ensure a positive experience for attendees, avoiding the appearance of a heavily militarized presence.
"We want people to enjoy their time," he added. "We don't want to feel like they're walking through a war zone, but we want to let everybody know we're also working very hard to secure the premises. I don't care if you're outside the stadium or you're inside the stadium, but the amount of officers we have that are dedicated to this from the federal, local to state is absolutely amazing, and we're doing it together."
Mullin also acknowledged the role of fans, both domestic and international, in contributing to a safe and positive World Cup atmosphere. He observed the passion of the fans and their appreciation for the United States, referencing social media videos that showcase their experiences.
"They're so passionate about it, and they love America," Mullin said. "I mean, we see in the videos, my wife is absolutely infatuated with the amount of videos going on social media, with the fans that are here from around the world that are getting to experience the greatness of America, which is what it's all about."
Mullin admitted he had limited knowledge of soccer prior to the World Cup but has since embraced the sport. He and his team are working around the clock to ensure the safety of all attendees and are looking forward to the conclusion of the tournament.