WASHINGTON – On Saturday, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on President Trump mass firing hundreds of Department of Homeland Security personnel:
“It goes without saying that Trump’s mass firing of at least 400 homeland security personnel will make the country less safe,” said Thompson. “Quite simply, we will now be less equipped to respond to natural disasters, harden our networks, and secure our seas.
“Just because an employee was new doesn’t make their position any less critical to the Department’s mission.” Thompson added. “Every position matters but Elon Musk has been wantonly acting to slash and burn the Federal workforce since day one.”
Congressman Thompson, 77, has been serving as the U.S. Representative for Mississippi's Second Congressional District since 1993. A member of the Democratic Party, he has was the Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security from 2019 to 2025, previously holding the position from 2007 to 2011.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was formed as a result of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, enacted in response to the September 11 attacks. With more than 240,000 employees, DHS is the third-largest Cabinet department, after the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.
Homeland security policy is coordinated at the White House by the Homeland Security Council. Other agencies with significant homeland security responsibilities include the departments of Health and Human Services, Justice, and Energy.
Thompson can be reached by mail at Rep. Bennie Thompson, 2466 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515, by telephone at (202) 225-5876 or via Email at benniethompson@mail.house.gov
