Official Senate hearing records and public announcements

FBI Director Wray and DHS Secretary Mayorkas Refuse Public Testimony, Postponing Senate Hearing

Nov 21, 2024, 02:28 PM

FBI Director Christopher Wray and DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas have refused to testify publicly at a scheduled Senate hearing on threats to national security and border vulnerabilities, opting instead for a closed session. This decision has led to the indefinite postponement of the hearing, drawing criticism from Senators Josh Hawley, Rand Paul, and Rick Scott, who have accused the officials of avoiding oversight and accountability for political abuses at FEMA, the FBI, and more. The refusal to testify publicly has been described as a blow to transparency, especially given the historical precedence of such hearings since 9/11.