Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has come under fire for both FEMA’s inadequate response to Hurricane Helene and the handling of national security after the arrest of an Afghan national, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, who was reportedly planning an Election Day terror attack.
Critics have pointed to these recent events as further evidence of Mayorkas’s poor leadership.
Earlier in the week, Mayorkas addressed the ongoing criticism surrounding FEMA, declaring that the agency was essentially out of funds.
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This sparked speculation that FEMA’s budget had been depleted due to funds being diverted to manage the ongoing immigration crisis at the southern border.
House Speaker Mike Johnson revealed that $20 billion had been allocated to FEMA before Congress recessed, but few answers came from the Biden-Harris administration or Mayorkas about where the money had gone.
Mayorkas has long been criticized for his handling of U.S. immigration laws, with a particular focus on the border crisis. Earlier this year, the House voted to impeach Mayorkas, accusing him of failing to comply with the law and breaching the public trust.
While the Senate blocked the impeachment, Mayorkas remains a highly controversial figure in the Biden-Harris administration.
Adding to the growing concerns over national security, the FBI arrested Tawhedi, an Afghan national who had entered the U.S. on a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) due to his previous work with the CIA in Afghanistan.
Tawhedi was taken into custody along with his brother-in-law after it was discovered that he had sold his house, purchased firearms and ammunition, and attempted to access security cameras around Washington, D.C., including those at the White House.
Officials believe Tawhedi was seeking locations with more lenient gun laws as part of his plan.
The revelation that Tawhedi had passed through a “rigorous” vetting process to obtain an SIV has raised significant concerns about the integrity of the U.S. screening process for immigrants from conflict zones.
A government official told CBS News that every Afghan resettled in the U.S. undergoes extensive screening, but this case has led to questions about whether those processes are being followed effectively.
Mayorkas has faced sharp criticism for not addressing these concerns head-on. During a White House press briefing on Thursday, Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich pressed Mayorkas on the vetting failures that allowed Tawhedi to enter the country.
Appearing via video link, Mayorkas did not provide clear answers, drawing further backlash from those who say he is failing to fulfill his responsibilities as DHS Secretary.
Reporter: An Afghan national who was working for the CIA was arrested for plotting a terrorist attack on Election Day. How was he brought here?
Mayorkas: *Refuses to answer*
Reporter: We’re getting conflicting answers from DHS
Mayorkas: *Gets angry*pic.twitter.com/IuI1QvauUE
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 10, 2024
As Election Day approaches, the revelations surrounding Tawhedi’s arrest and Mayorkas’s handling of both the immigration and FEMA crises have heightened concerns about the Biden-Harris administration’s ability to effectively manage national security and disaster response.
Mayorkas’s leadership, already under scrutiny, is now facing renewed criticism from both sides of the political spectrum.
The incompetence displayed in these matters leaves many voters questioning whether there is anyone in the Biden-Harris administration capable of handling such crucial responsibilities.
With the November election just around the corner, these issues are likely to play a significant role in shaping the narrative as voters head to the polls.
Should Kamala Harris and running mate Tim Walz win the election, it remains unclear whether Mayorkas will be held accountable or if he will continue in his current role.
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