Former Department of Homeland Security chief of staff Miles Taylor said the agency responsible for protecting the U.S. homeland may not have been briefed before President Donald Trump's military strikes on Iran, a claim that has intensified debate over coordination between the White House and domestic security officials during a rapidly escalating conflict.
Taylor, who served in senior DHS roles during earlier administrations, raised the concern during an appearance on MSNBC's "MS NOW" with host Anna Cabrera, saying that officials currently working inside the department told him they were unaware of the impending military action.
His comments surfaced as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to deepen after a series of strikes launched on February 28, an operation that triggered broader regional instability and heightened fears of retaliation against U.S. interests.
Speaking about the implications of launching military action without coordination with homeland security officials, Taylor delivered a blunt assessment.
"When we are in a war, that's a really, really big deal," Taylor said during the interview. "And you don't have to play the violin for Kristi Noem to say that's a reckless and irresponsible thing to do."
Taylor's remarks highlight the central role DHS plays in defending the United States against domestic threats that could follow overseas military operations. The agency was created after the September 11 attacks with the primary mission of coordinating national preparedness against terrorism, cyber threats and other retaliatory risks.
Taylor questioned whether DHS leadership had been brought into planning discussions ahead of the Iran operation.
"There's a bigger question here, too, which is, did the Department of Homeland Security even know strikes were going to happen against Iran?" Taylor said. "Was Kristi Noem or her team even brought into conversations to prepare for this? I have seen no indication; no one at DHS has told me that has happened."
The comments come amid growing warnings from intelligence agencies that Iran or its proxies could attempt cyberattacks or other retaliatory actions following the military escalation. Homeland Security analysts have previously warned that Iranian-linked groups could target American networks through hacking campaigns or digital disruption efforts if tensions intensify.
At the same time, the Department of Homeland Security itself is navigating a leadership transition.
President Trump recently removed Kristi Noem as DHS secretary and nominated Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma to take over the department. The change occurred during a period of mounting political pressure surrounding Noem's tenure and growing debate over the administration's immigration policies and security priorities.
Taylor argued that the timing of the leadership change could complicate the department's response to emerging security risks.
"That, in and of itself, is reckless," he said. "So Markwayne Mullin, if he does get confirmed, is coming into a department unlike any other secretary of Homeland Security ever before."
He added that the situation could be unprecedented in the department's history.
"We've never had a new secretary confirmed in the middle of a war where the possibility of imminent attack is happening. That's very, very serious."
Security analysts say coordination between the Pentagon, intelligence agencies and DHS is typically essential when military operations carry the risk of domestic retaliation. Without advance preparation, officials warn that agencies responsible for monitoring threats inside the United States could face greater challenges responding to cyber incidents, terrorism plots or other security risks linked to geopolitical conflict.
