DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has faced intense scrutiny after recent revelations of a foiled Election Day terror plot. The criticism comes just as Mayorkas has been struggling to defend FEMA’s handling of Hurricane Helene, raising further questions about his overall leadership at the Department of Homeland Security.
Earlier, Mayorkas came under fire for FEMA’s inadequate response to the hurricane. Speculation arose that FEMA’s funds were depleted because resources were diverted to manage the influx of illegal immigrants pouring across the U.S. border. House Speaker Mike Johnson revealed that Congress had allocated $20 billion to FEMA prior to its pre-election recess, yet answers from FEMA, Mayorkas, or the Biden administration about the supposed funding shortfall have been sparse.
Critics argue that this is just another example of Mayorkas’ mismanagement. He has been accused of playing fast and loose with U.S. laws, especially concerning border security. In February, the House voted to impeach him, citing his “willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law” and his “breach of the public trust.” The impeachment effort, however, was blocked by Senate Democrats, allowing Mayorkas to retain his position through at least the remainder of President Joe Biden’s term. As a result, many argue that the consequences of his leadership failures are becoming more apparent with each passing day.
One of the most pressing issues currently plaguing Mayorkas’ tenure is the recent arrest of Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, a 27-year-old Afghan national who was charged with plotting a terrorist attack on Election Day. Tawhedi, who entered the U.S. on a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) due to his work with the CIA in Afghanistan, was arrested by the FBI alongside several co-conspirators. Tawhedi had reportedly sold his family’s home in Oklahoma, stockpiled firearms and ammunition, and attempted to access security cameras around Washington, D.C., including those at the White House and Washington Monument. Authorities believe Tawhedi was seeking locations where gun laws were less restrictive.
The arrest has raised significant concerns about the vetting process for individuals entering the U.S. under special visa programs. While SIVs are reserved for individuals who assisted U.S. military or intelligence efforts, the fact that a former CIA asset came so close to orchestrating a domestic terror attack has caused alarm.
A government official told CBS News that every Afghan resettled in the U.S. undergoes a “rigorous screening and vetting process,” but this incident has brought the effectiveness of that vetting into question. How could someone with dangerous intentions slip through such a “rigorous” process? The situation suggests that more robust safeguards might be needed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
During a press briefing on Thursday, Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich posed several questions to Mayorkas about the terror plot and the potential flaws in the vetting system. Appearing via video from North Carolina, Mayorkas struggled to maintain composure as Heinrich pressed him for answers. Mayorkas attempted to project an air of authority, but his responses did little to quell the growing concerns.
The terror plot involving Tawhedi is particularly worrisome given his background. Tawhedi had previously worked with the CIA in Afghanistan, reportedly in a security role. His SIV status, granted because of his work with the agency, allowed him entry to the U.S. However, instead of providing safety for someone who helped U.S. efforts abroad, it nearly allowed a dangerous individual to carry out a potentially devastating attack on U.S. soil. The FBI arrested Tawhedi and his brother-in-law just before they could execute their plans, but the fact that such a plot even came close to fruition has shaken many.
Tawhedi’s arrest is not the first time questions have arisen about the security of the U.S. immigration and refugee resettlement programs. With the Biden administration’s decision to welcome tens of thousands of Afghans after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, there were always concerns about whether all individuals were adequately screened. While most people admitted through the SIV program have genuine refugee claims, Tawhedi’s case shows that the vetting process can be flawed.
Critics of the Biden administration’s immigration policies argue that this is a direct consequence of an over-reliance on bureaucratic processes that fail to account for all security threats. The situation has also reignited the debate over border security, with Mayorkas as the face of a department that many believe is not adequately protecting the country.
While Mayorkas insists that the screening processes are thorough, the discovery of Tawhedi’s plot has cast a shadow over his assurances. It also adds to the long list of grievances Mayorkas faces, from FEMA’s alleged funding issues to ongoing border concerns.
Mayorkas’ future as DHS Secretary is uncertain. His leadership has already been called into question, and incidents like this terror plot could be the tipping point for some lawmakers. As the pressure mounts, Mayorkas’ ability to effectively lead DHS may be facing its toughest test yet. Whether or not he can regain public confidence remains to be seen, but the consequences of his leadership—or lack thereof—are already being felt.
For now, the Biden administration and Mayorkas will have to answer questions about how someone like Tawhedi was allowed to slip through the cracks of a system that is supposed to protect Americans from such threats. The public will be watching closely as the story continues to unfold.
Here’s what went down:
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
And here’s the transcript:
HEINRICH: I want to ask you about a different story. This Afghan national who was working for the CIA in Afghanistan, was arrested for planning an Election Day terror plot. He was brought to the US after Afghanistan collapsed, your agency says, as part of the SIV program. The State Department is telling us he was not part of the SIV program, which had strenuous vetting . They say he was never issued an SIV or immigrant visa, and DHS paroled him into the U.S. They further expect the court document to be updated to reflect this from the DOJ side. So, Mr. Secretary, how was this man brought into the U.S.? What screening did he undergo? What did he apply for to get here?
MAYORKAS: Jacqui, I — I’m here in North Carolina — um — uh — communicating with the individuals who are still conducting search and rescue operations. Over 200 people have lost their lives in Hurricane Helene. We have reports that at least 10 individuals have lost their lives as a result of Hurricane Milton. I’d be very pleased to answer your question in a different setting, but we’re here to talk about emergencies and the support that we can deliver to people in desperate need. Thank you!
HEINRICH: I [inaudible] that, Mr. Secretary, but we’re getting conflicting answers from your agency and from the State Department about a man who was arrested for an Election Day terror plot. How do you not have those answers prepared?
MAYORKAS: Oh, Jacqui, that’s — uh — not what I said. What I said is I’d be pleased to discuss this issue at a different time, but I am here to speak about disasters that have impacted people’s lives in real time, and that is a subject that I’m addressing today.
HEINRICH: But can you assure —
KJP: Okay, we’re gonna —
HEINRICH: — Mr. Secretary — can you assure people that appropriate steps have been taken to secure the country against these kinds of threats because the outstanding question is whether this man was radicalized before the U.S. government brought him here or after and people should be concerned about that?
MAYORKAS: Jacqui, Jacqui, Jacqui, your persistence in questioning can be matched by my persistence and answers.
KJP: Ha ha ha! Alright, we’re gonna go.It’s not just that he won’t answer question about how the Biden-Harris administration let a terrorist into the country, it’s the anger and disdain he has for even being asked about it. He clearly believes he doesn’t owe the American people any answers on the matter. And, as Heinrich was hinting, he probably doesn’t even know what’s going on, and it’s not because he’s preoccupied with hurricane relief efforts.
The level of incompetence displayed by Mayorkas should leave citizens – and especially voters – wondering if there is anyone in the Biden-Harris administration who is able to do their job and do it well. It’s scary to think that this guy could actually get a job extension if Kamala Harris and Tim Walz somehow get elected on November 5.
