DHS Secretary Mullin says no evidence of malicious attack behind FAA telecom failure

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin addressed the public on Friday to reassure travelers that flights are safe, despite a significant telecommunications outage that forced the Federal Aviation Administration to ground aircraft. Speaking outside the White House, Mullin emphasized that the agency is actively working to identify the root cause of the disruption while maintaining that the immediate situation is under control.

The Secretary clarified that the incident is currently being treated as a widespread telecommunication failure within the FAA. He noted that there has been no indication as of yet that the event was a nefarious attack. Instead, he described the situation as a standard telecom outage, a characterization he repeated to reporters to provide clarity on the nature of the problem.

However, when pressed by the press corps, Mullin acknowledged that the Department of Homeland Security would not rule out the possibility of a cyberattack. He explained that the department has received numerous calls from concerned citizens asking if the disruption was a terrorist attack. In response, he assured the public that everyone is safe and that there is no reason to worry about loved ones who are currently in the air or preparing to fly.

Mullin stated that his primary goal was to put the public at ease during the investigation. He noted that in any investigation involving potential cyber threats, it is standard procedure to make that assumption until proven otherwise. Yet, he stressed that as of the current moment, a cyberattack has not been confirmed as the cause of the outage.

The Secretary outlined the immediate priorities for the department. The first step is to restore communications and get all grounded flights moving again. Once the airspace is reopened and normal operations resume, the agency will continue its deeper analysis to determine the underlying source of the failure.

The outage occurred on Friday and resulted in the grounding of flights, causing disruption for passengers and airlines. While the exact technical details of the failure are still being examined, Mullin’s comments aim to provide stability during what has been a stressful period for the aviation sector.

The investigation remains ongoing, with DHS coordinating its efforts to understand the sequence of events. The focus is on both immediate operational recovery and a thorough forensic review of the telecom systems involved.

By maintaining a calm demeanor and providing regular updates, the Secretary sought to manage public perception and prevent widespread panic. He reiterated that the safety of air travel remains a top priority, even as the technical complexities of the outage are unraveled.

The White House briefing took place on Friday, November 13, 2026. The statements reflect the government’s approach to balancing transparency with the need for thorough investigation in the face of critical infrastructure challenges.

As the day progressed, the focus remained on restoring normalcy to the skies. The Department of Homeland Security continues to monitor the situation closely, preparing to release further findings once the initial assessment is complete.