Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned Tuesday that his department would “hunt down” people who vote illegally in an ominous message as Americans headed to the polls.
“If you vote illegally in this country, and you are NOT eligible to vote, will find you, hunt you down, and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Mullin wrote in a social media post. “Only American citizens should be deciding American elections.”
The threat targets conduct that is “exceedingly rare,” Democracy Docket reported. The outlet noted that noncitizens have never decided the outcome of an American election.
The Election Day threat follows Mullin's claim that his department is investigating 300,000 cases of illegal voting, according to the outlet.
Mullin’s “hunt you down” rhetoric echoed a warning from U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz in Texas last month.
“If you violate federal election law, I will hunt you down and prosecute you,” Reitz said in a video, Democracy Docket reported Tuesday. Reitz also targeted “crooked local election administrators,” saying they had a duty to prevent illegal voting.
“Election Day is Tuesday, November 3,” he said. “We’ll see you out at the polls.”
If you vote illegally in this country, and you are NOT eligible to vote, @DHSgov will find you, hunt you down, and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Only American citizens should be deciding American elections.
— Secretary Markwayne Mullin (@SecMullinDHS) November 3, 2026