Trump's head of the Department of Homeland Security bluntly rebuffed requests from houses of worship for more security in the wake of a shooting.
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said on Fox News that houses of worship should "hire their own security" while speaking about the mass shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego.
Trump already has a "great team" heading federal law enforcement with him and FBI Director Kash Patel, Mullin insisted, refusing to fund more security for places of worship, according to reporting by The New Republic.
"We work together all the time to work with these religious establishments," Mullin said. "We've had FEMA grants they can use to help protect themselves."
He also shifted blame to the months-long DHS shutdown, according to The New Republic.
"Unfortunately, for the last 76 days, we were shut down," Mulin said. "We're just not getting those grants out, so they have to hire their own security."
According to The New Republic, FEMA has been fully funded since the beginning of the month.
"FEMA could have been funded far earlier if congressional Republicans agreed to separate ICE funding from the rest of DHS, which was discussed as early as February," the New Republic noted.
