Four States Put On Notice — Cleanup Demanded

voting booth with American flag graphics — Photo: Rob Crandall / Shutterstock

DHS flagged more than 250,000 potential non-citizen voter registrations and warned, “We will find you.”

Story Highlights

DHS sent letters to four states after a review flagged over 250,000 potential non-citizen registrations.
Mullin said 28,000 noncitizens and 400,000 deceased are on rolls in 23 states using a federal check system.
DHS pledged prosecutions with penalties up to five years in prison and $250,000 fines.
Major media questioned the claims; some networks declined to air Trump’s address on election security.

DHS Flags Potential Non-Citizen Registrations In Key States

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said his agency sent formal letters to California, New Jersey, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. The letters cited a preliminary review that flagged more than 250,000 potential non-citizen voter registrations. The breakdown listed 190,832 in California, 35,152 in New Jersey, 15,903 in Nevada, and 14,576 in Pennsylvania. The letters asked state officials to verify and clean their rolls. DHS framed the action as a push to protect lawful votes and improve trust.

DHS described the review as preliminary and the flagged records as potential matches. The department did not claim these people voted. The agency asked states to confirm citizenship status and remove ineligible names where required. Mullin said some states will receive follow-up technical help. He also said future federal grants could prioritize states that show measurable cleanup progress, a step he argued rewards good stewardship of election lists.

Mullin Outlines Broader Roll Integrity Issues And Penalties

Mullin said a federal verification system used by 23 states identified 28,000 noncitizens and 400,000 deceased individuals on voter rolls. He listed states spanning the South, Midwest, and West. He said the department will refer confirmed illegal voting for prosecution. He warned violators face up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines under federal law. He urged states to audit flagged records and to document each removal for public transparency.

Mullin told reporters his department will also monitor compliance with data checks. He said DHS is prepared to open cases if state officials ignore federal warnings tied to list integrity. Critics argued the federal verification tool can mislabel lawful voters, including naturalized citizens, and urged caution before removals. Mullin said due process and notice rules still apply and that any removals must follow state law and be backed by records.

Media Clash And Disputed Claims About System Vulnerabilities

Mullin criticized major networks for not airing President Trump’s election security address. He called the decision “shameful” and said it kept important information from the public. Some outlets said they declined because the claims were not supported by released documents. The New York Times said declassified materials did not support the most extreme vulnerability claims made in the speech or by aides. The dispute added to a polarized media environment.

🚨 STREET TEA POLITICS ALERT: DEBATE ERUPTS OVER PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS COVERAGE

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin criticized major television networks for not airing President Trump’s address on election security, questioning why some outlets chose not to broadcast the remarks live.… https://t.co/SLpqVbzsTC

— StreetTea (@StreetTea17) July 17, 2026

Mullin argued foreign adversaries can access key voting technology and even alter votes. He said this is beyond debate. Reporters pressed for proof beyond general warnings. Coverage noted that the administration’s own declassified documents describe nationwide vote tabulation manipulation as challenging at scale, which undercuts absolute certainty claims. Mullin maintained that risk alone demands action and said the department will pursue independent audits and tighter safeguards where states agree.

What Comes Next For States, Voters, And Enforcement

State officials in the four notified states will now review the flagged records and confirm citizenship. Some may run additional database checks or send notices to voters. Mullin said DHS will support secure data matching and provide guidance on best practices. He said any confirmed illegal voting will move to the Department of Justice for charging decisions. He also encouraged states to publish audit summaries so citizens can see the results and regain trust.

Conservatives who want cleaner rolls will see this as overdue. The numbers, while preliminary, point to real housekeeping work for states. At the same time, the review’s limits matter. DHS did not show that these individuals voted, and the matches require careful validation. The path forward is clear and simple: verify, correct, and document. That approach protects legal votes, respects due process, and makes it harder for bad actors to game the system.