Dems rip Mayorkas, Wray for skipping hearing on threats facing the American homeland in a ‘shocking departure’ from tradition

WASHINGTON — Even lawmakers on the left are furious with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray after the two skipped an important annual Homeland Security Committee hearing in the Democrat-controlled Senate.

Chairman Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) lashed out at the two Biden administration officials for refusing to appear for the committee’s “Threats to the Homeland” hearing, which had been scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday.

In a statement, Peters called the move “a shocking departure from the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee’s longstanding tradition of transparency and oversight of the threats facing our nation,” noting it was “the first time in more than 15 years” that a US homeland security secretary and FBI director refused to testify at the annual hearing.

“Their choice to not provide public testimony about their departments’ efforts to address wide-ranging national security threats robs the American people of critical information and the opportunity for public accountability of what the federal government is doing to keep Americans safe,” Peters said.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas greets FBI Director Christopher Wray during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on Capitol Hill on Nov. 15, 2023. Getty Images

The move did little to help their political standing. House Republicans impeached Mayorkas and introduced articles of impeachment against Wray earlier this year.

The snub also appeared to unite both Democrats and Republicans in the Senate, with Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) blasting the officials, accusing them of skipping to avoid questions over recent scandals, including the conviction of the illegal migrant who killed Lakin Riley, as well as reports of FEMA skipping over Trump-supporting homes in need.

“Secretary Mayorkas and Director Wray’s refusal to testify publicly today in the Senate is an outrage – and a brazen attempt to avoid oversight for the political abuses at FEMA, the FBI and more,” Hawley posted to X on Thursday. “I look forward to Director Wray’s resignation.”

Peters declared their refusal to testify Thursday “will only increase the concerns that many Americans have about our nation’s security at a challenging time, flout the Committee’s efforts to conduct responsible oversight and will deal a serious blow to trust in our government.”

Peters said their refusal to testify “will only increase the concerns that many Americans have about our nation’s security at a challenging time.”

Mayorkas and Wray reportedly told the committee that they could only deliver their testimonies in a classified setting — claims that Peters in his statement said were “entirely without merit.”

“It cannot be the practice of the Executive Branch to deny the public critical information and disregard Congress’ constitutionally recognized right to conduct oversight.”