A group of Republican senators, spearheaded by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS), have formally questioned Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas about his usage of a personal email address for official government business. This follows an April Senate hearing where Mayorkas denied such claims, calling them "false." The senators' inquiry stems from a Freedom of Information Act request by Americans for Prosperity, which revealed hundreds of pages of emails and texts from Mayorkas' personal email and cell phone.
The senators, including Mike Lee (R-UT), Mike Braun (R-IN), J.D. Vance (R-OH), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and James Lankford (R-OK), are seeking clarification on potential violations of DHS record-keeping regulations. They've requested further details regarding any unreported communications and measures implemented to ensure compliance with federal laws. The senators expressed concern over the extensive redactions in the disclosed documents, with numerous pages completely withheld due to purported sensitivity.
While many of the released messages show Mayorkas forwarding communications to his official email or instructing senders to use official channels, the senators point to instances where no apparent emergency justified deviating from standard agency procedures. They argue this indicates a lax approach to communication within DHS, potentially undermining federal record-keeping laws. Mayorkas, in his April testimony, maintained that he diligently forwards any errant emails sent to his personal account to his official one, ensuring full compliance with his responsibilities.
A DHS spokesperson reiterated that Mayorkas adheres to protocol, using official channels for communication and forwarding any mistakenly sent personal emails to his work account to maintain proper records. This latest inquiry adds to the mounting pressure on Mayorkas from Republicans, who have consistently scrutinized his leadership, particularly concerning the border crisis. Mayorkas is scheduled to testify before the House Judiciary Committee later this month, where he's anticipated to face questions on immigration, border security, and alleged disinformation campaigns.
