Alejandro "Ale" Mayorkas is testifying on Capitol Hill today, as Biden's pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security - the 3rd largest federal agency.
It's not his first confirmation hearing -- previously nominated by Obama as Dep Sec in 2013, confirmed in 2014.
-FEMA should to ensure supply chain
-CISA (cyber security) should protect supply chain from cyber attacks and ensure other agencies' work protected
"the reach of the department is significant..."
"the threat of domestic extremism is one of the greatest challenges DHS confronts"
I&A (intel + analysis office) has critical role to play in partnering with state/locals to gather + share info
Mayorkas says wants to further "empower" I&A
Mayorkas: correct
Johnson: "There were children separated from their parents correct?"
Mayorkas: When I was Dep Sec, I "explicitly rejected" the policy to separate children from their parents.
(referring to border crossings)
Mayorkas: (whose prev boss, Sec. Johnson once said 1,000 crossings was 'bad day'-taxing resources) does not provide a number - says he looks forward to working with cmte in transparent way
Hassan: one thing to talk about info-sharing, another thing to coordinate. clearly we need to do better job of it.
Sen Scott, dialing into Mayorkas' confirmation hearing remotely, having audio issues
"can you hear me now?"
"maybe you can turn up your microphone? or come closer to the computer?"
Mayorkas: when I served as Dep Sec, met with Border Patrol...what I heard from them was we need a diverse approach to border security...in some instances, physical barrier, in others boots on the ground, in others tech, air + marine...
Mayorkas: Pres-elect Biden has committed to stop construction. Would be my responsibility to see through that. I have not looked at costs/benefits beyond that.
Mayorkas: ICE and CBP play critical roles in US govt and I would not abolish them
Says he looks forward to working towards reform of "broken" immigration system, as laid out in Biden's plans
(reimplementing DACA, strengthening TPS protections, etc)
"I am profoundly aware" of this growing threat
"My mother lost her paternal grandparents, 7 uncles, by reason of their Jewish faith, in the Holocaust. My mother fled her home, with her parents, because of the Holocaust."
"concerns about that...do you support mass amnesty, 11 million large number?"
Mayorkas:
Biden has committed to presenting Congress on Day1 with immigration reform bill to fix what we can all agree is broken system...
Mayorkas: i remember bipartisan legislation years ago with path to citizenship...spoke of certain requirements...(those who'd been here for years, had contributed to US, etc)...
More from Government
Long thread: Because I couldn’t find anything comprehensive, I’m just going to post everything I’ve seen in the news/Twitter about Trump’s activities related to the Jan 6th insurrection. I think the timing & context of his actions/inactions will matter a lot for a senate trial.
12/12: The earlier DC protest over the electoral college vote during clearly inspired Jan 6th. On Dec 12th, he tweeted: “Wow! Thousands of people forming in Washington (D.C.) for Stop the Steal. Didn’t know about this, but I’ll be seeing them! #MAGA.”
12/19: Trump announces the Jan. 6th event by tweeting, “Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!” Immediately, insurrectionists begin to discuss the “Wild Protest.” Just 2 days later, this UK political analyst predicts the violence
12/26-27: Trump announces his participation on Twitter. On Dec. 29, the FBI sends out a nationwide bulletin warning legislatures about attacks https://t.co/Lgl4yk5aO1
1/1: Trump tweets the time of his protest. Then he retweets “The calvary is coming” on Jan. 6!” Sounds like a war? About this time, the FBI begins visiting right wing extremists to tell them not to go--does the FBI tell the president? https://t.co/3OxnB2AHdr
12/12: The earlier DC protest over the electoral college vote during clearly inspired Jan 6th. On Dec 12th, he tweeted: “Wow! Thousands of people forming in Washington (D.C.) for Stop the Steal. Didn’t know about this, but I’ll be seeing them! #MAGA.”
Jumping in for @DCist/@wamu885 this evening. The scene rn coming up 17th Street from BLM Plaza. pic.twitter.com/Fn9aukjEPW
— Matt Blitz (@WhyBlitz) December 12, 2020
12/19: Trump announces the Jan. 6th event by tweeting, “Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!” Immediately, insurrectionists begin to discuss the “Wild Protest.” Just 2 days later, this UK political analyst predicts the violence
On January 6, armed Trumpist militias will be rallying in DC, at Trump's orders. It's highly likely that they'll try to storm the Capitol after it certifies Joe Biden's win. I don't think this has sunk in yet.
— Arieh Kovler (@ariehkovler) December 21, 2020
12/26-27: Trump announces his participation on Twitter. On Dec. 29, the FBI sends out a nationwide bulletin warning legislatures about attacks https://t.co/Lgl4yk5aO1
1/1: Trump tweets the time of his protest. Then he retweets “The calvary is coming” on Jan. 6!” Sounds like a war? About this time, the FBI begins visiting right wing extremists to tell them not to go--does the FBI tell the president? https://t.co/3OxnB2AHdr
1 of 19) A number of tweets were posted by @LLinWood beginning late last night and into the morning. There are a total of 19. This thread has compiled all.
{“Shots fired across the bow”}
{Warning to traitors}
{Light will reveal the evil plans}
{You were warned traitors}
{“Shots fired across the bow”}
{Warning to traitors}
{Light will reveal the evil plans}
{You were warned traitors}
As background to tweets I am about to post, you should read this article carefully. I ask that you read each of my tweets carefully & decide if the information conveyed demands that Patriots rise up so that every lie will be revealed.@realDonaldTrumphttps://t.co/9KIX4DEtha
— Lin Wood (@LLinWood) January 4, 2021
