Rep. Michael McCaul warned on Fox News Sunday that Democrats’ refusal to fund the Department of Homeland Security during a heightened terror threat is reckless and dangerous, arguing the agency’s shutdown undermines security at airports, border enforcement, and first responders, and bluntly saying, “If they continue this, Shannon, they will have blood on their hands.”
Republican Rep. Michael McCaul (TX-10) appeared on the March 15 broadcast to explain why a fully functioning DHS matters now more than ever. He described recent attacks and threats that show domestic vulnerabilities and criticized the political calculus behind keeping DHS underfunded. The argument was straightforward: politics should not put Americans at risk.
McCaul tied the funding fight to real-world consequences, pointing to incidents like the Boston bombing and other attacks that hit U.S. soil. He said those events are not abstract history but blueprints for how easily violence can escalate when homeland defenses are weakened. The stakes, he insisted, are lives and the nation’s ability to respond quickly and effectively.
I remember the Boston bombing when I became Chairman and I investigated that. We saw this bombing scenario in New York, very reminiscent, it could have been a bigger attack than the Boston bombing. And since that time, Austin, TX in my hometown, to Virginia, a veteran being shot down and killed — not overseas — but in a classroom, and then the synagogue, the Jewish targets. And you’re going to see more.
The political battle in the Senate over DHS funding has become a test of priorities. McCaul argued Democrats are choosing headline-grabbing fights over practical measures that keep citizens safe, and he urged lawmakers to separate immigration policy discussions from critical department operations. At heart, the push is for stability in mission-critical agencies while policy debates continue elsewhere.
McCaul used blunt language to highlight the moral dimension of the debate and to challenge fellow policymakers to think about consequences. He warned that when TSA staffing thins and agents face financial strain, the public pays the price with longer lines and weaker security. That point was meant to connect budget choices directly to everyday safety and national resiliency.
The idea of shutting down the Department of Homeland Security at such a high terror threat level is unconscionable. I think it’s political malpractice, it is criminal, and they’re going to have, if they continue this, Shannon, they will have blood on their hands.
Beyond domestic security, McCaul discussed Operation Epic Fury and the military objectives tied to the broader Iran conflict. He pushed back on media impatience and argued the campaign has momentum, saying it can reach its goals within weeks if given time and decisive leadership. That view frames short-term discomfort as necessary to secure long-term American interests.
On energy and economic concerns, McCaul acknowledged short-term pain but predicted long-term benefits, including lower gas prices once objectives are met. He mentioned control of strategic locations and energy exports as levers that could reshape global markets in America’s favor. The argument framed military action as part of a larger strategy to protect prosperity for future generations.
I think when the military objective is done, you’ll see the price of gas go way down. Again, controlling Khang Island, controlling Venezuela and the oil/energy exports there. Long term, we’re going to have more control over energy in this world than we did before the invasion of Iran. So, you have to look at it that way. For a couple of weeks? Sure. But long term, it’s going to put us far better off not just for my children, but for future generations. They’re going to look back at this an historic moment that freed up the Middle East and put it on a path of peace and normalization.
McCaul addressed concerns about misinformation and deep fakes spreading online, noting that unverified content can mislead the public on battlefield realities. He said true political change in Iran must come from Iranians themselves and suggested outside support will be complicated but necessary. He also assigned a role to allies like Israel where appropriate, arguing the U.S. should not be the only actor in post-conflict reconstruction and leadership transition.
The president said, wait till the bombing has stopped to go out on the street. I think that’s the key, once the military objective is completed, then the people of Iran can rise up. They need leadership, they need weapons, they need communications. I know Mossad and Israel, they know where the IRG targets are. We have decapitated the Ayatollah, his executive cabinet, but there are many more to do. When you get into that phase, it does get more complicated. And I do think it may not be the role of the United States completely — it probably shouldn’t be. I think Israel has a role to play in that one. But at the end of the day, free and fair elections in Iran is going to be a far better Middle East. And that’s the tricky part of this, but I do think it’s achievable.
McCaul framed the current moment as a turning point shaped by leadership choices, contrasting past weakness with what he calls a decisive approach now. He predicted the campaign could alter the regional balance, enable new alliances, and free nations long dominated by hostile regimes. That forward-looking claim ties homeland security funding back into a broader vision of lasting American strength.
He closed with a historical lens, tracing the conflict’s roots to poor leadership decades ago and crediting current action with the potential to end a long era of instability. McCaul described the effort as both a military and strategic push that could unlock regional normalization and greater security for the United States. The broadcast segment underscored one central claim: funding homeland security is not optional during heightened threats.
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