A DHS shutdown could slow the ability to respond to a terrorist threat, an expert warns

A partial government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security could affect how the federal government deals with potential terrorist threats in the US, a public security expert said, warning that the escalating conflict with Iran could embolden those who wish to harm the American people.

Jeffrey Halstead, a retired police chief in Fort Worth, Texas, and a former Homeland Security officer for the Phoenix police, told Fox News Digital that the actions of the US military could “increase the mindset of some of these foreign or foreign terrorists” who want to take action.

“We’ve seen historically that whenever there’s a conflict, especially in the Middle East with the escalation of conflict, military action and now a declaration of war, it has a huge impact on our ability to work together to share intelligence and gather information in a timely manner to our coalition partners,” Halstead said. “With the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security right now, if something were to happen here in the United States, there could be a significant delay because FEMA and other very critical departments of the federal government are shut down.”

He specifically mentioned the terrorist attack in Austin, Texas, over the weekend, which left two people dead and 14 injured. The suspect, Ndiaga Diagne, a 53-year-old citizen who was born in Senegal, was also killed.

Authorities said they were investigating the shooting, which happened at a bar around 2:00 a.m. Sunday, as “a possible motive for a terrorist attack” as Diagne was seen wearing a “Property of Allah” sweater and an Iranian flag undershirt. A Quran was also found in his car, an Iranian flag and portraits of state leaders were found in his home.

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

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

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He also said that whenever the government shuts down, there seems to be “a lot of disruption, politically and administratively, in every aspect of our federal government and the way that government works.”

Sometimes they are understaffed in some of these critical agencies, some agencies are not funded at all,” he said. “This will delay and prevent some of that critical intelligence, which could be terrorism-level intelligence, which should be in the hands of the local police, so that the riot police, security police, and all managers, understand the latest and greatest threats, including targets that may be on the radar of some of these active cells in the United States.”

He added that the government shutdown is impacting the ability to “get that intelligence as quickly as possible into the hands of those who need it” and that the delay could be “a very serious disaster” if the information is ignored or not sent.

Halstead noted that he has seen no evidence that the shooting in Austin is directly related to the government shutdown.

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

“However, when there are military actions overseas, especially in these high-level terrorist organizations or terrorist countries, it raises the idea that some people will take action against American citizens and institutions in America,” he explained. “That would be schools and religious places, and that would be how we live freely.”

“If these overseas incidents related to terrorism happen, it is in the minds of these individual actors to take action,” he continued. “And if you look [the case in Austin]that’s exactly what the FBI has revealed so far, that this was a lone wolf probably working on the military action that was taken against Iran, and he wore a shirt, ‘Property of Allah,’ which speaks of his religious belief and/or possible terrorist ties. “

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

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

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., argued that DHS still has a lot of money left over from Trump’s spending bill signed last year and that Democrats will not suddenly abandon their demands for change. Sen. Angus King, Maine, told The Hill that 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, for that matter,” King said.

A general view of Tehran with smoke visible in the distance after an explosion was reported in the city, March 2, 2026, in Tehran, Iran. (Contributor/Getty Images)

Republicans argue that the conflict makes DHS funding even more necessary, as House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., wrote in X: “After the successful strikes on Iran and the FBI’s warning of heightened threats here at home, it is dangerous for Democrats in Washington to keep the Department of Homeland Security closed.”

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Halstead said the funding battle “looks like every other closed-door thing we’ve seen,” adding that it “pits one side against the other, and then they make strong allegations and statements and then publicly the other side retaliates.”

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

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