Mayorkas and Wray's Refusal to Testify Publicly at Annual Senate Hearing Sparks Bipartisan Outrage

Nov 21, 2024, 03:24 PM

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray have declined to testify publicly at the Senate Homeland Security Committee's annual hearing on threats to the homeland, leading to an indefinite postponement of the session. The officials, in a last-minute cancellation, requested to provide testimony behind closed doors in a classified setting instead. This marks a break from precedent, as the annual threats hearing has been held publicly since 9/11. Senators from both parties, including Committee Chairman Gary Peters, expressed frustration over the move, emphasizing the need for transparency. Peters stated that their refusal 'robs Americans of critical information.' Senator Rand Paul called the decision 'unacceptable,' while Senator Josh Hawley described it as 'a brazen attempt to avoid oversight.' Senator Roger Marshall called the refusal 'a slap in the face' to the American people. The officials' decision comes amid heightened concerns about national security threats and border vulnerabilities.