Since its post-9/11 creation, the Department of Homeland Security has reshaped U.S. politics, fueling partisan conflict and deepening public mistrust over immigration, surveillance and civil liberties.
As Americans shoulder mounting costs from the Iran war and the DHS shutdown, Washington lawmakers depart the capital, sparking outrage and questions over stalled governance.
U.S. security officials warn that large-scale public events may be targeted for violence, urging heightened vigilance and coordination as potential threats evolve nationwide.