11.21.2024

Sen. Peters scolds Homeland Security, FBI heads for not testifying publicly on threats

By: Todd Spangler

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., scolded two high-ranking members of the Biden administration on Thursday for refusing to provide public testimony at a scheduled security hearing on Capitol Hill.

Peters blasted Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray for failing to show up for an annual hearing held by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Peters chairs to examine threats to the U.S. The hearing was scheduled for Thursday morning and was postoned to an indefinite time.

“For the first time in more than 15 years, the Homeland Security secretary and the FBI director have refused to appear before the committee to provide public testimony at our annual hearing on threats to the homeland," Peters said. "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."

“Americans deserve transparent, public answers about the threats we face," Peters added.

In his statement, Peters suggested that Mayorkas and Wray claimed they would only discuss potential threats and their agencies' efforts to contain them in a classified setting. Peters called it "a shocking departure" from what has been long-standing tradition.

Past hearings have zeroed in on terrorist threats, violent extremists, cyberattacks and more.

Contacted by the Free Press, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provided a statement saying, "DHS and the FBI have offered to the committee a classified briefing to discuss the threats to the homeland in detail, providing the committee with the information it needs to conduct its work in the months ahead. DHS and the FBI already have shared with the committee and other committees, and with the American public, extensive unclassified information about the current threat environment, including the recently published Homeland Threat Assessment."

"DHS takes seriously its obligation to respond to congressional requests for testimony; in fact, Secretary Mayorkas has testified 30 times during his tenure," the statement said.

Peters' comments, however, warned that appearing before the committee is vital despite that.

"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 added. “It cannot be the practice of the executive branch to deny the public critical information and disregard Congress’ constitutionally recognized right to conduct oversight."