Republicans Push Biden's DHS Secretary to Resign

Several Republican members of the House Committee on Homeland Security appeared to advocate for President Joe Biden's DHS secretary to resign Tuesday, previewing Republican priorities should they take control of the House this January.

During a Tuesday hearing intended to examine international and domestic terrorism incidents, cyberthreats and election security, several Republican members of the committee peppered DHS secretary Alejandro Mayorkas with questions focused more on issues at the United States' southern border with Mexico and myriad theories of federal law enforcement officers using their power to spy on Americans sympathetic to former President Donald Trump.

Under questioning by Louisiana Representative Clay Higgins—who has previously expressed interest in chairing the committee next Congress—a seemingly bewildered Mayorkas repeatedly responded he did not know what Higgins was talking about, specifically in response to questions about suppressing evidence presented by border patrol agents, or whether Mayorkas moved to retaliate toward DHS and Border Patrol agents Higgins claimed were conservatives.

"Congressman, I don't even know what you're referring to," Mayorkas said in response to a Higgins question.

"You will," Higgins responded, alluding to a number of investigations Republicans are poised to launch should they take control of the House in 2023.

But the line of questioning appeared to be a precursor to future Republican efforts to oust Mayorkas as conservatives appear poised to make him the party's number one target in a conservative-majority Congress next year.

Higgins—who later in the hearing revived a well-tread conspiracy theory in questions to FBI director Christopher Wray about whether FBI agents instigated the January 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol—also asked Mayorkas to address apparent rumors he was planning resign before January 3, an idea that Mayorkas said was "a false rumor" after days of speculation about his future in the agency.

Already, pressure seems to be mounting against him.

Tuesday's hearing comes just days after U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Chris Magnus told The Washington Post he'd refused a resignation request from Mayorkas in recent days after a rift between the two DHS officials' handling of the situation at the southern border emerged publicly.

Meanwhile, CNN reported back in October that numerous Republicans in Congress have already suggested they are likely to bring impeachment proceedings against him over his agency's handling of the border crisis.

On Tuesday, issues Republicans cited against Mayorkas included the ongoing influx of undocumented migrants at the U.S. border with Mexico, an increasing number of migrants on the terrorist watchlist attempting to cross, and the growing prevalence of cartel-supplied illicit drugs like fentanyl—the majority of which Mayorkas said Tuesday largely comes via ports of entry.

While impeachment has been regularly floated, others are hoping he goes quietly.

One of the strongest voices pushing for his resignation during the hearing was Kansas Republican Jake LaTurner, who repeatedly cut off Mayorkas' explanations of DHS policies with questions alleging various shortcomings of the Biden administration's border policies.

After several questions, LaTurner—an early supporter of former President Donald Trump's border wall—asked Mayorkas whether he'd had a conversation with anyone in the administration about stepping down from his current role within the administration.

"I have not," Mayorkas responded.

"I hope for the sake of the safety of the American people that conversation happens very soon," LaTurner responded.