DHS Secretary Mullin Joins Governors and NGA to Advance State-Federal Homeland Security Coordination

OKLAHOMA CITY - Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin attended the National Governors Association (NGA) Summer Meeting in Oklahoma City, joining governors for a fireside chat moderated by Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt. Governors engaged in a wide-ranging discussion with Secretary Mullin on several priority issues, including state-federal coordination, disaster relief, cybersecurity, immigration and drone threats.

NGA's Governors Homeland Security Advisors Council (GHSAC) convenes multiple times per year to inform and shape state and national homeland security policy; keep abreast of the current threat environment and the impacts of federal homeland security legislation, regulations, and policies; and promote best practices related to homeland security activities. The GHSAC gathered in Nashville in April, where the council met with Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel, and has ongoing engagement with federal entities including the National Security Council and Department of Homeland Security.

NGA also convenes a network of Governor's Cybersecurity Advisors, bringing the nation's cybersecurity advisors together to drive cyber policy developments, trends, and best practices and to work with federal and private partners to advance cybersecurity efforts within their states and territories.

To address the increasing threat malicious drones pose to the nation's critical infrastructure and public safety, more than 30 governors wrote to congressional leadership in September 2025 calling on Congress to enact legislation that strengthens and clarifies the coordination between federal and state authorities. NGA Chair Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and Vice Chair Maryland Gov. Wes Moore praised congressional action in December 2025 to authorize trained and certified state and territorial law enforcement and correctional officers to address the threat from nefarious drones in coordination with key federal agencies.

On Thursday, NGA hosted a plenary meeting of the bipartisan Council of Governors, a 10-member federally established body instituted to work with federal officials to address issues relating to the National Guard; national security; homeland defense; and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.

To learn more about how NGA supports governors' coordination on homeland security priorities, see these resources:

• 2026 GHSAC Spring Meeting (recap)
• GHSAC Executive Committee Annual Meeting with Key Congressional and Administration Staff
• Governors Homeland Security Advisors Council
• Council of Governors Holds 32nd Plenary Meeting
• Council of Governors Letter on Unmanned Aircraft Systems
• Council of Governors Recommendations on FEMA Reform