Press Releases
Thompson Statement on DHS Strategy for Combating Terrorism and Targeted Violence
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Department of Homeland Security's Strategy for Combating Terrorism and Targeted Violence: "This strategy could be a much-welcomed step in the right direction, and I applaud the Department for laying out a serious plan. However, I still have many questions that the Department needs to answer - including how it plans to fund and staff this effort. If we … Continue Reading
September 18, 2019
Thompson: New National Security Advisor Must Bring Back Cyber Coordinator Position
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news that President Trump has named Robert O'Brien as National Security Advisor: "Mr. O'Brien, President Trump's fourth National Security Advisor, is named when threats facing the nation have evolved and our adversaries are exploiting cyberspace in new ways to advance their economic ambitions, assert influence, and undermine U.S. power. His first act as … Continue Reading
September 11, 2019
Thompson Statement Marking 18 Years Since the September 11 Terror Attacks
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the eighteenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks: "Eighteen years ago, our country was forever changed in the face of terror and hate. Today we remember those that were lost in New York, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. They and their loved ones are on our minds and in our hearts. We also recognize the bravery of the … Continue Reading
September 10, 2019
Chairman Thompson Statement on FBI & DHS Refusal to Testify
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement after the heads of the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and National Counterterrorism Center all refused to appear before the Committee to submit testimony and answer questions for a hearing today on terrorism and threats to the homeland. "When the country is facing repeated domestic terrorism attacks, the American people have … Continue Reading
September 05, 2019
Thompson & Rogers Joint Statement After 8chan Deposition
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), Ranking Member of the Committee, released the below joint statement after the Committee deposed Jim Watkins, owner of the social media website 8chan. The deposition was in response to the Committee's subpoena of Watkins in August. "We want to thank Mr. Watkins for his cooperation today. He provided vast and helpful information to the Committee about the … Continue Reading
September 04, 2019
Thompson Statement on Trauma of Children Caused by Trump Administration Family Separation
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on two reports by the Department of Health and Humans Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) on the mental health of migrant children: "These reports validate what we have long known, the Trump Administration's cruel and chaotic immigration policies are taking a damning toll on children and their mental health. The Trump Administration has yet … Continue Reading
September 03, 2019
Thompson Statement on Trump Taking Billions from Military to Pay for Wall
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news the Trump Administration is siphoning billions from military construction projects to pay for his wasteful wall: "On a day that military assets are positioning to protect this country against a national disaster, President Trump continues to show disregard for the American people and the rule of law. President Trump will go to any length to get what he … Continue Reading
August 27, 2019
Thompson: Reckless for Trump Administration to Divert Funding from TSA and FEMA to Pay for ICE Indefinite Detention of Families and Children
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news that the Trump administration is diverting $271 million from FEMA, TSA, and the Coast Guard to pay for a massive increase in ICE detention beds: "Once again this Administration is flouting the law and Congressional intent to fund its extremist indefinite detention immigration policies. This is reckless and the Administration is playing with fire - all … Continue Reading
August 22, 2019
Thompson Statement on CISA Strategic Intent
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director Chris Krebs speech today releasing the agency's Strategic Intent: "I am encouraged to see that Director Krebs has a strategy and a vision to guide CISA at this pivotal time. If this newly-rebranded agency is going to be effective in securing U.S. critical infrastructure against physical and … Continue Reading
August 21, 2019
Thompson Statement on Trump Administration Plan for Indefinite Detention of Children and Families
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news the Trump Administration plans to terminate the Flores settlement agreement to allow it to indefinitely detain migrant children and families: "The Trump Administration has managed to find a new low in its continued despicable treatment of migrant children and families. Terminating the Flores settlement is illegal and goes against our longstanding … Continue Reading
August 14, 2019
Thompson & Rogers Announce Subpoena of 8chan Owner Watkins
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) and Ranking Member Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) issued a subpoena to Jim Watkins, the owner of the website 8chan, for testimony related to the Committee's ongoing oversight work on countering extremist content on social media platforms. A copy of the subpoena can be found here. Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member Rogers released the following joint statement on the subpoena: "Today the Committee on … Continue Reading
August 13, 2019
Thompson Delivers Remarks at Homeland Security Forum on Faith-Based Communities in Jackson Mississippi
(JACKSON, MS) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following prepared remarks for first public meeting of the Homeland Security Advisory Council's Prevention of Targeted Violence Against Faith-Based Communities Subcommittee in Jackson, Mississippi. This is one part of the Committee on Homeland Security's action plan to redouble efforts to address the domestic terrorism threat. Churches, synagogues, mosques, and other houses of … Continue Reading
August 08, 2019
Chairman Thompson Statement on Mississippi ICE Raid
August 8, 2019 (WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Trump Administration's ICE raid in Mississippi: "By all measures, this massive ICE raid was a show of force that will have an enormous, long-term impact on communities in Mississippi. Despite the reported time spent in the lead up, ICE seems to have deliberately ignored its own guidelines on minimizing the impact on children and … Continue Reading
August 06, 2019
Chairman Thompson Releases Action Plan to Redouble Efforts to Address Domestic Terrorism Threat
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released an action plan to address the threat of domestic terrorism after additional deadly attacks against innocent Americans this past weekend. After years of inaction, the Committee has held hearings and advanced legislation under Chairman Thompson's leadership to address the very real and persistent threat from domestic terrorism. The Committee will continue its oversight and legislative … Continue Reading
August 05, 2019
Thompson Statement on Trump Speech
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on President Trump's address today on the recent mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton: "President Trump's words today are meaningless. We know tragedy after tragedy his words have not led to solid action or any change in rhetoric. We know his vile and racist words have incited violence and attacks on Americans. Now dozens are dead and white supremacist … Continue Reading
August 03, 2019
Thompson Statement on the El Paso Attack
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the mass shooting and attack in El Paso today: "Today, our nation again was confronted with a deadly act of terror and hate. Although our prayers are with the people in El Paso, our thoughts mean nothing if not backed up by action. We must do more stop senseless gun violence. We must do more to counter domestic terrorism and violent extremism. We now … Continue Reading
July 15, 2019
Thompson Statement on Trump Plan to Deny Legal Asylum
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news President Trump filed a new rule to deny asylum to Central American migrants: "Plain and simple, this is the President lashing out in an attempt to keep those seeking safety out of the country. It is xenophobic and it is racist. The President's use of destructive politics will have the real effect of endangering lives. It is unlawful and must be … Continue Reading
July 12, 2019
Thompson NDAA Amendment Passes House to Ban ICE from Using DoD Facilities
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement following House passage of an Amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act he sponsored to prohibit any Department of Defense resources from being used to allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement to expand its detention capacity. "We have already seen President Trump defy the will of Congress on border wall funding. When Congress refused to fund his … Continue Reading
July 02, 2019
Thompson Statement on Rio Grande Valley CBP Facility Overcrowding and Prolonged Detention
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) management alert on dangerous overcrowding and prolonged detention of children and adults in the Rio Grande Valley at Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facilities: "This report shows that DHS is not making progress to address the humanitarian crisis at the border that the … Continue Reading
July 01, 2019
Thompson Statement on Secret Border Patrol Facebook Group
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the news of a secret Facebook group in which Border Patrol agents have posted lewd and derogatory content involving migrants and Democratic elected officials: "This Facebook group is beyond sexist and racist - it is truly abhorrent and shameful, and there is no excuse for this depraved behavior. The agents found to be responsible for these vile comments … Continue Reading