Staff Reports
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testified before the House of Representatives and it was just another head-shaking event. Rep. Jerry Nadler, the ranking member on the Judiciary Committee, defended Mayorkas against Republican criticisms, claiming that the border is not open. But that’s just ridiculous. The border has been wide open under the Biden administration, with historically high numbers of illegal border crossings. Even Border Patrol agents have acknowledged that the border is open. Nadler’s statement is an insult to the hardworking men and women of Border Patrol.
Jerry Nadler: My Republican colleagues claim the border is open, is the border open?
Sec. Mayorkas: No, it is not.
Nadler: Thank you Mr. Secretary, the border is not open. pic.twitter.com/8iLclAOmVw
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) July 26, 2023
During the hearing, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee asked Mayorkas if the Biden administration and the Department of Homeland Security have operational control of the border. Mayorkas said they do, but let’s be honest, that’s just not true. The border is far from being under control.
Rep. Hank Johnson, famous for his Guam tipping over comment, went on a rant, accusing Republicans of pushing false narratives about the border. He claimed that the real threat to our homeland is white nationalist ideology. It’s just another attempt to shift the blame and avoid addressing the real crisis at the border.
Rep. Ted Lieu completely ignored the fact that illegal border crossings have skyrocketed under the Biden administration. He held up a chart comparing last month’s numbers to May 2019 under the Trump administration, claiming that the border is doing better now. But comparing one month to a month from two years ago is misleading. The overall situation at the border is far worse now.
Rep. Eric Swalwell had the audacity to blame Republicans for the chaos at the border. He accused them of incentivizing people to cross illegally by claiming the border is open. But it’s the Biden administration’s lax immigration policies that have created this crisis. Swalwell’s attempt to deflect blame is simply absurd.
Even Rep. Pramila Jayapal joined in the circus by interfering when Mayorkas didn’t want to provide details about individuals encountered at the border who were flagged for being on a terrorist watch list. It’s concerning that a member of Congress would try to hide information about potential threats to our national security.
Overall, this hearing was just another showcase of Democrats refusing to acknowledge the real issues at the border and constantly deflecting blame onto Republicans. The Biden administration’s failure to secure the border is a clear dereliction of duty, and it’s time they start taking responsibility.
