Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is facing mounting pressure from lawmakers following two assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump in July.

Bipartisan frustration is growing over what lawmakers see as a lack of cooperation from Mayorkas and his department within the Biden administration, as the Washington Examiner reports.

The House and Senate have launched parallel investigations into the events, seeking more information from DHS regarding its handling of the assassination attempts.

First Attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania

The first assassination attempt took place on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania. Despite the seriousness of the event, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are voicing frustration over what they describe as insufficient information about the attack. Following this initial attempt, concerns were raised regarding DHS’s transparency, particularly about whether the department had adequately informed Congress about the threat level surrounding the former president.

Two days later, on July 15, a second attempt was made outside Trump’s Palm Beach golf course in Florida. This second attack intensified the pressure on Mayorkas, with lawmakers questioning the preparedness of security agencies under DHS’s supervision.

Mayorkas Criticized for Lack of Transparency

Since these assassination attempts, Secretary Mayorkas has remained largely in the background, which has drawn bipartisan ire. Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe briefed both lawmakers and the press shortly after the Palm Beach incident, but many feel that Mayorkas should have taken a more proactive role.

House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan criticized Mayorkas during a recent interview on Newsmax, pointing out what he sees as Mayorkas’s absence from the public eye in the aftermath of the attempts on Trump’s life. "Where has Mayorkas been?" Jordan asked, accusing him of neglecting his duty to ensure transparency in the wake of such critical incidents.

Bipartisan Lawmakers Demand Action

On the Democratic Party side, Sen. Richard Blumenthal has also voiced his frustration. He argued that DHS’s response has been inadequate, accusing the department of withholding documents and witnesses from congressional investigators. Blumenthal even went as far as suggesting that Congress may need to use its subpoena power to compel DHS to release the requested information.

“I am reaching a point of total outrage because the response from the Department of Homeland Security has been totally lacking,” Blumenthal said, stressing that the department’s refusal to cooperate has been a significant obstacle to understanding the events of July 13 and July 15.

Investigations Into Assassination Attempts

In light of these frustrations, both the House and Senate have initiated investigations into the assassination attempts, with particular focus on the events in Butler. House Homeland Security chairman Mark Green issued a subpoena to Mayorkas for documents related to the Butler incident in July, further intensifying the pressure on the secretary.

While some lawmakers, like Rep. Jason Crow, believe there has been no deliberate effort by Mayorkas or his department to obstruct the investigation, others, including Rep. Mike Waltz, have raised concerns about the Justice Department’s role in the process. Waltz acknowledged that the Secret Service has been "forthcoming" but suggested that broader systemic failures might have contributed to the attacks.

DHS Defends Its Response

In defense of its actions, the Department of Homeland Security has pointed to the volume of information it has provided to congressional investigators. According to a DHS spokesperson, the department has turned over more than 3,300 pages of documents and 50 hours of transcribed interviews since the first assassination attempt in mid-July. The spokesperson emphasized that the department is committed to accountability and transparency, despite the claims to the contrary.

"Claims that the Department is not being open and transparent are false and fail to recognize the robust response and ongoing work to meet Congress’ oversight requests," the spokesperson said, reiterating DHS’s cooperation with congressional oversight.

Next Steps for Mayorkas and DHS

While Mayorkas has yet to hold a solo press conference to address the assassination attempts, he has responded to questions in interviews and panel discussions. Notably, following the first attempt in Butler, Mayorkas appointed a panel to review the events, signaling a move toward addressing security vulnerabilities.

Despite his efforts, lawmakers remain unsatisfied. Blumenthal has made it clear that without further cooperation, he will push for the use of subpoenas to compel the release of additional information. This bipartisan frustration is unlikely to abate unless DHS can demonstrate more concrete steps toward transparency in the investigation.

Mayorkas’s Upcoming Public Appearance

Mayorkas is scheduled to appear at the 2024 National Summit on K-12 School Safety and Security on Wednesday. It remains unclear whether he will address the growing concerns over the Trump assassination attempts during his appearance, but the event could provide an opportunity for Mayorkas to offer further clarity on the department’s actions.

Meanwhile, Trump is set to hold a campaign rally in Savannah, Georgia, on Tuesday. The event will be indoors, adding an additional layer of security challenges following the recent assassination attempts.

Conclusion

Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas finds himself in the crosshairs of both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, following two assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump.

With calls for more transparency and the potential for subpoenas looming, DHS has defended its efforts to cooperate.

As investigations continue, the focus remains on whether the department will meet Congress’s demands for further accountability and transparency.