Defense
Counties and cities sue over counterterrorism grant rule changes
The four local governments said the Department of Homeland Security’s efforts to tie the grants to election security measures were unconstitutional, as states run elections, not the feds.
Digital Government
Blue states seek to stop DHS from accessing commercial driver's license database
In a court filing, a coalition of Democrat-led states says the Department of Homeland Security’s demand for trucker data is part of a broader effort to create a “nationwide surveillance system.”
Acquisition
DHS wraps up Oracle's Cumulus cloud contract
The Department of Homeland Security has two more hyperscaler awards to finalize before it can move ahead on a separate competition for this enterprise cloud program.
Exclusive
Cybersecurity
DHS network intrusion was twice ruled a false positive before breach confirmed
Suspicious activity on the Homeland Security Information Network, which is being used to support World Cup games around the U.S., was first detected around mid-to-late May.
Cybersecurity
House Homeland committee seeks briefing on DHS network hack
Cyber intruders accessed the unclassified network being used to help support World Cup games around the U.S., a senator said last week.
Exclusive
Cybersecurity
Hackers breached DHS information-sharing network, people familiar say
The Homeland Security Information Network is used by government, international and private sector partners to share sensitive but unclassified information.
Exclusive
Policy
Top House cyber lawmaker plans to introduce DHS overhaul bill by next year
In an interview, Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., also said she plans to ask officials about how export control measures would affect government agencies’ access to advanced AI models.
Acquisition
DHS finalizes first Cumulus cloud contract with AWS
The Homeland Security Department is working on contracts with the other three major hyperscalers and a separate, multiple-award competition for support services.
People
Trump to soon nominate CISA head, DHS secretary says
Markwayne Mullin said a nominee to lead the cyber agency is coming soon, even as questions remain over whether an IBM security executive remains a leading candidate.
Policy
House panel approves slate of DHS intelligence reform bills
The measures aim to modernize terror alerts, expand local threat support and standardize training under the Office of Intelligence and Analysis, which the Trump administration is seeking to restructure.
People
Andrew Vanjani becomes CIO for USCIS
Vanjani has held several positions across federal and state agencies and will take over a position left vacant for nearly a year after former USCIS CIO Bill McElhaney departed in May.
Policy
DHS intelligence office restructuring would still keep it under ODNI oversight
A proposed FY27 overhaul would still leave DHS’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis answerable to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, despite questions about its oversight.
Artificial Intelligence
Secret Service is embedding AI experts across the agency
“I think having this internal team will really help us transform our [AI] adoption across the organization,” Secret Service CIO and CAIO Chris Kraft said about the push to bring fresh tech talent into the agency.
Policy
President’s budget proposes folding beleaguered DHS intelligence office into headquarters
The plan to restructure the Office of Intelligence and Analysis would require congressional approval and could reshape oversight of domestic intelligence-sharing.
Policy
Trump’s goal to create state-by-state citizenship lists isn’t feasible, experts say
A Tuesday executive order mandating that DHS create state-by-state citizenship lists is Trump’s latest effort to exert some control over state-run elections.
Digital Government
Trump signs executive order setting rules for mail-in voting and eligibility lists
The president has long disputed the mail-in voting process since his 2020 election run. The order is very likely to face legal challenges.
Cybersecurity
DHS drops investigation into former acting CISA chief’s failed polygraph exam
“We are pleased that the CISA personnel punished by previous DHS and CISA leadership for doing their jobs have been cleared of wrongdoing and invited back to work, as we demanded three months ago,” said a joint statement from Democratic Reps. Bennie Thompson and Eric Swalwell.
People
Mullin confirmed to lead DHS as shutdown drags on and 100,000 employees remain unpaid
Trump's new DHS chief promises some reforms and renewed staffing efforts.
People
‘No practical use': TSA experts say Trump’s ICE deployments won’t help with airport security
More than 400 TSA employees have left the agency since the shutdown began last month, White House says.
People