Tennessee governor seeks broad Homeland Security power with confidential actions

By: Sam Stockard

Outlets: Tennessee Lookout

Published: February 10, 2026

Words: 635

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

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Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s administration is seeking to broaden the state Homeland Security’s investigative authority and make its actions confidential, leading critics to call it a “secret police.”

Under Senate Bill 1880 and House Bill 1639, the Office of Homeland Security would be created within the Department of Safety, even though it has existed since 2003 under an executive order issued by former Gov. Phil Bredesen after the 9/11 attack. As part of the …

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