Diogenes
Nemo me impune lacessit
DEMOCRATS
Democrats Alejandro Mayorkas and Christopher Wray declined to testify at a Senate committee hearing on threats to the nation, drawing a rare bipartisan rebuke from members who had to cancel it at the last minute.
It was the second scuttled congressional hearing in as many days for Mayorkas and Wray.
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairman Gary Peter pulled no punches in condemning the high-ranking officials for a “shocking departure” from the tradition of public testimony 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. “Americans deserve transparent, public answers about the threats we face.”
“Secretary Mayorkas and Director Wray’s refusal to speak publicly about their department’s work 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.
Sen. Josh Hawley said, “They are REQUIRED BY LAW to testify. Both are unfit for office. The Senate should subpoena them immediately and hold them in contempt.”
