Summary4 min read

The Daily Scoop Podcast

Episode Title: Federal counter-drone plans for the 2026 World Cup include deputization of state, local law enforcement
Date: November 17, 2025
Host: Billy Mitchell

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the federal government's emerging counter-drone strategies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with an emphasis on deputizing and training state and local law enforcement for expanded drone mitigation authority. The episode also covers Secretary of Defense Hegseth’s announcement of "Operation Southern Spear," a new military and surveillance effort in the Caribbean following recent US strikes on suspected narcotics traffickers. The discussions highlight evolving federal-local collaboration in security and the strategic approach to regional defense.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Counter-Drone Plans for the 2026 World Cup

(00:00–03:40)

The federal government is moving to deputize state and local law enforcement to close existing legal gaps regarding counter-drone authority in preparation for the 2026 World Cup.
- "While certain federal officials have been given the authority to counter unmanned aircraft that pose a credible threat... that same authority has not yet been extended by Congress to state and local officials." (Billy Mitchell, 00:42)
Training and deputization efforts are aimed at ensuring local authorities in host cities can legally and effectively participate in counter-drone operations.
Key Highlight:
- Details of these initiatives were released at an event co-hosted by the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup, the Commercial Drone Alliance, and Drone Responders.
Norm Coleman (representing the 11 US host cities):
- Raised "technical issues about who has capacity to do counter-drone technology, who can operate that equipment" and underscored cooperation with the FBI.
- On the need for training and deputization:
  - "The White House is requiring officials to be trained and that in effect, they will become deputized." (Billy Mitchell quoting Coleman, 01:35)
  - “[T]he public should understand that we have the capacity to ensure that the folks who need to operate the equipment will be able to do it.” (Coteman quoted by Billy Mitchell, 02:03)
- Suggests legislation would be a cleaner solution but affirms stop-gap plans are robust.
FBI National Counter-UAS Training Center:
- Located in Alabama, created by a Trump-era executive order, and recently graduated its first class.
- This center will educate and authorize local law enforcement to perform counter-drone operations.
Andrew Giuliani (Head of White House Task Force on FIFA World Cup for 2026):
- Emphasized that training is a "priority for sites hosting both World Cup events as well as events for the country's 250th anniversary celebrations."
- Stated the counter-drone authority "is a backup plan," pointing to flexibility in security measures.

2. Operation Southern Spear and U.S. Military Actions in the Caribbean

(03:41–05:22)

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced "Operation Southern Spear," a new, large-scale military and surveillance initiative in the Caribbean targeting alleged narco-terrorist activity from Venezuela.
- Announced shortly after the US deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier group to SOUTHCOM.
- Quote:
  
  “Operation Southern Spear defends our homeland, removes narco terrorists from our hemisphere, and secures our homeland from drugs that are killing our people. The Western hemisphere is America's neighborhood and we will protect it.” (Pete Hegseth, quoted by Billy Mitchell, 04:14)
Context:
- Venezuela ramped up its own military mobilization in response to the increased US military presence.
- Tensions have escalated between President Trump and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, with multiple US strikes since September.
Key Data Points:
- 20 kinetic strikes since September
- 79 alleged narco-terrorists killed, 2 wounded and repatriated, 1 attempted rescue by Mexican authorities
Controversy & Oversight:
- Some lawmakers have raised concerns about transparency and evidence surrounding the strikes.
- Notably, there is no formal declaration of war from Congress regarding these actions.
Background on “Southern Spear”:
- Originated as a Navy campaign employing robotic and autonomous systems for drug trafficking detection and surveillance.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Norm Coleman:
- “There are some technical issues about who has capacity to do counter drone technology, who can operate that equipment, working with the FBI… the public should understand that we have the capacity to ensure that the folks who need to operate the equipment will be able to do it.” (01:25–02:05)
Andrew Giuliani:
- Training for drone countermeasures is “a priority for sites hosting both World Cup events as well as events for the country’s 250th anniversary celebrations.” (03:06)
Secretary Pete Hegseth (via social media statement):
- “Operation Southern Spear defends our homeland, removes narco terrorists from our hemisphere, and secures our homeland from drugs that are killing our people.” (04:14)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment | |---------|----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Introduction; overview of federal counter-drone strategy | | 01:25 | Norm Coleman: technical/legal issues, deputization via training | | 02:20 | Details on FBI National Counter-UAS Training Center | | 03:06 | Andrew Giuliani: training priorities for World Cup & 250th celebrations| | 03:41 | U.S. military escalation against alleged narco-terrorists in Caribbean| | 04:14 | Hegseth’s statement on Operation Southern Spear | | 04:45 | Tensions with Venezuela, lack of war declaration, strike statistics |

Summary

The episode offers a concise yet detailed account of how the federal government is rapidly equipping—and legally empowering—local partners to defend U.S. events like the World Cup from drone threats. It also spotlights a significant military escalation in the Caribbean, raising questions about transparency, legality, and international repercussions. The podcast maintains a brisk, journalistic tone, offering factual clarity and notable direct quotations from policymakers.

For further government and technology news, listeners are directed to fedscoop.com.

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Transcript2 lines

[00:00]
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Today on the Daily Scoop podcast from the Scoop News Group. Federal counter drone plans for the 2026 World cup include deputization of state and local law enforcement officials and Secretary of Defense Hegseth announces Operation Southern Spear after the 20th US strike against an alleged narco terrorist boat. It's Monday, November 17, 2025. Welcome to the Daily Scoop Podcast, where you'll hear the latest news and trends facing government leaders. I'm the host of the Daily Scoop podcast, Big Billy Mitchell. Thanks so much for joining me. And with that, let's dive into the day's top headlines. U.S. officials are moving to deputize state and local law enforcement partners for counter drone activities ahead of the 2026 World cup in an attempt to address a gap in legal authorities. While certain federal officials have been given the authority to counter unmanned aircraft that pose a credible threat to specified locations, that same authority has not yet been extended by Congress to state and local officials. So as US Cities look to enhance the security of their skies ahead of the World cup matches they're slated to host, the federal government is moving to train and deputize law enforcement in those areas so they too can participate in counter drone efforts. Details of those plans were shared last week in an event on drone mitigation co hosted by the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup Commercial Drone alliance and drone responders. Former Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman, who represents the 11 US cities hosting World cup matches on behalf of law firm Hogan Lovells, told reporters there are some technical issues about who has capacity to do counter drone technology, who can operate that equipment, working with the FBI, he said the White House is requiring officials to be trained and that in effect, they will become deputized, he said. While Coleman said it would be cleaner and easier to do that via legislation, he told reporters, the public should understand that we have the capacity to ensure that the folks who need to operate the equipment will be able to do it. Through a recently launched FBI training program known as the National Counter UAS Training center, state and local law enforcement officers will be educated and then granted authority by the Department of Justice for counter drone work. That schoolhouse, located in Alabama, was ordered under President Donald Trump's executive order on drone mitigation and graduated its first class two weeks ago. During a sidebar conversation with reporters during last week's event, Andrew Giuliani, who leads the White House task force on the FIFA World cup for 2026, said officials have made training through that school a priority for sites hosting both World cup events as well as events for the country's 250th anniversary celebrations coming up next year. Giuliani described the authority law enforcement officers received following training as a backup plan. Now moving on to other news. Days after deploying America's newest and largest aircraft carrier to the Caribbean to target what the Trump administration alleges are drug trafficking boats from Venezuela, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unveiled a large scale military and surveillance operation in the region that will commence later this month. Hegseth wrote in a social media post last Thursday night that, quote, operation Southern Spear defends our homeland, removes narco terrorists from our hemisphere, and secures our homeland from drugs that are killing our people. The Western hemisphere is America's neighborhood and we will protect it. The nation of Venezuela launched a major military mobilization campaign last week in response to the U.S. s unusual surge of weapons and Navy assets to its Southern Command area of responsibility. Last Tuesday, Hegseth deployed America's most advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group to southcom following an order from President Donald Trump. Tension has risen between Trump and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro this year, continuing to escalate. In recent months. The US has conducted multiple deadly strikes in the region southcom covers since early September against vessels Hegseth has accused online of smuggling drugs from Venezuela. Experts have noted that the South American nation is not America's top illegal narcotics supplier, and Maduro has repeatedly rejected those allegations. Some lawmakers have flagged issues around the Pentagon's lack of transparency or evidence about exactly who and what the strikes have hit. To date, the administration has not pursued a formal declaration of war from Congress to this point. Last Friday, a Pentagon official told Defense Goop, quote, we are confirming that on the President's orders, there was a kinetic strike on November, November 10 in the Caribbean Sea and four narco terrorists were killed with no survivors. As of today, there have been 20 total kinetic strikes, with 79 narco terrorists killed, two wounded and repatriated to their home countries, and one attempted rescue at sea by Mexican authorities. Hegseth's Operation Southern Spear comes after the Navy initiated a campaign under the same name in January to operationalize a combination of robotic and autonomous systems to detect and surveil illicit drug trafficking. For more news at the intersection of the federal government and technology, make sure to visit fedscoop.com.
[05:24]
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Thanks so much for tuning in to another episode of the Daily Scoop podcast, available on all podcast platforms. If you've already rated the podcast on your platform of choice, thanks so much. High ratings and good reviews of the show help more people to find it. The Daily Scoop Podcast is a production of the Scoop News Group in Washington, D.C. adam Butler and Carlin Fisher help put the show together, and the entire Scoop News Group team contributes. We'll be back tomorrow with more top headlines. Until then, I'm your host. As always, Billy Mitchell. Thanks so much for listening.