Alejandro Mayorkas, the departing Secretary of Homeland Security, expressed his concern about the politicization of national tragedies during an exit interview with ABC News. He emphasized the need for unity and cooperation during times of crisis, stating that tragedies should not be exploited for political gain. Mayorkas also reflected on his tenure, highlighting the department's accomplishments in securing the border and providing humanitarian relief.
Alejandro Mayorkas , the outgoing Secretary of Homeland Security , who has faced intense criticism from Republicans over the past four years, spoke out about the politicization of national tragedies in an exit interview with ABC News. Mayorkas expressed his belief that times of crisis should unite the nation rather than serve as fodder for political discord. 'There are people that lobby vitriol in public, and have relationships in private, that are quite inconsistent with the vitriol,' he stated.
'Times of tragedy should drive unity of effort and unity of care, whether that be the hurricanes and tornadoes of Helene and Milton, or whether that be the wildfires in California, or whether that be the tragic death of 14 individuals on in the early morning hours of January 1, and not be ammunition for political disagreement,' he emphasized. 'We've got to get back to a place where we can disagree and we can unify when the American people need it.'Mayorkas' tenure as DHS Secretary was marked by a series of crises, including a surge in illegal border crossings, an unprecedented threat environment, and a rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape. He reflected on the challenges and the dedication of the department's personnel. 'I am on the ground with the people of this department in in times of success, in times of tragedy,' he said. He personally visited funerals for Border Patrol agents killed in the line of duty, recounting a powerful experience where people lined highways to pay respects. '... along the highway in Texas,' he said, 'one saw police officers, firefighters, citizens standing outside of their cars at bus stops all along the multi-mile stretch of highway, saluting the car and the motorcade. Incredibly powerful message of the impact of our work and the impact of people doing the work on the broader community.'Despite the challenges, Mayorkas expressed pride in the department's accomplishments, particularly its efforts to secure the border and provide humanitarian relief. 'We have built and delivered a model where the border is more secure now than it was in 2019 and we have safe, lawful and orderly pathways that have delivered humanitarian relief to people in need and cutting out the smugglers, we have modernized the system of border security and humanitarian relief in unprecedented ways,' he stated. He acknowledged that the Biden administration's border policies faced criticism but maintained that they were effective in reducing illegal immigration. Mayorkas also noted that the incoming Trump administration would have access to additional resources, potentially increasing funding for border security efforts.
Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas Border Security National Emergencies Political Criticism Biden Administration Trump Administration
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