U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has refused to allow chief Border Patrol agents to testify at an upcoming hearing on the border crisis. The move sparked heavy criticism from House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.).
Comer on Jan. 27 called on the Border Patrol agents in four sectors along the southern border to testify on current on-goings at the border before they were subsequently blocked by Mayorkas.
According to Comer, this could result in subpoenas—or other obligatory quota—in order to exact the testimonies.
A subsequent investigation is to be launched into the Biden administration's handling of the border crisis, which has been described by observers as the worst in American history.
Additionally, Comer requested associated documents and information from Mayorkas, as well as communications, to determine the extent by which efforts to secure the border were neglected by the DHS.
Comer added that the arguments advanced by DHS would render most federal officials in the Executive Branch completely immune from providing essential information to Congress.
“It is unfortunate that you are trying to prevent the American people from hearing candid and truthful testimony of U.S. Border Patrol Chief Patrol Agents. This is necessary oversight, which you and your Department are attempting to block,” he continued to say.
Comer reiterated his request for testimonies from the four Border Patrol Agents and asked for confirmation of their attendance by 5 p.m. on Jan. 31. Failing this, he said that he would be forced to consider using Congress's compulsory process.
The disagreement could lay a precedent for future disputes, as the recently-elected Republican House majority is more likely to probe the Biden administration's policies and actions over the Democrat majority of the previous two years.