Outgoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas called on Republicans to refrain from politicizing the Biden administration’s controversial efforts to address alleged extremism within the U.S. military. His remarks, delivered during an interview on ABC News’ This Week with George Stephanopoulos, come as the administration faces sharp criticism over its national security policies.
Mayorkas on Terror Threats
Mayorkas addressed the recent attack in New Orleans, where Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old self-proclaimed ISIS supporter, killed at least 14 people in a horrifying act of violence in the city’s French Quarter. Speaking on the broader threat landscape, Mayorkas acknowledged the persistence of foreign terrorism while highlighting a rise in domestic threats.
“For the past 10 years, we’ve seen a significant increase in what we term homegrown violent extremism,” Mayorkas said. “It’s a very difficult threat landscape, and it requires vigilance from federal, state, and local officials, as well as community members, to prevent violence.”
Defending Controversial Military Initiatives
Mayorkas defended the administration’s efforts to root out alleged extremism within the U.S. military, a program that has faced significant backlash. Critics, including President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, have dismissed the initiative as a politically motivated “sham.”
In response, Mayorkas argued, “The phenomenon of radicalization of individuals is not limited to the military. It is something we are focused on across society. The military is not immune to it, nor is the federal workforce.”
Calls for Non-Politicization
Mayorkas urged Republicans to approach the issue without partisanship. “This is not an issue that should be politicized. We need to focus on confronting and combating extremism,” he said.
Criticism of Biden Administration Policies
Despite Mayorkas’ defense, the Biden administration’s policies, particularly regarding border security, remain under fire. Critics argue that porous border policies have created vulnerabilities that bad actors, including foreign terrorists, can exploit. The administration’s perceived failure to address these concerns has fueled skepticism about its overall national security strategy.
Mayorkas avoided addressing these criticisms directly during the interview, focusing instead on defending the administration’s broader initiatives.
The Bigger Picture
As Mayorkas prepares to leave office, his tenure at DHS has been marked by controversies, ranging from border mismanagement to questionable prioritization of domestic threats. His comments urging bipartisanship come amid an increasingly divided political climate, where national security issues have become deeply polarized.
While Mayorkas calls for unity in addressing extremism, his record has left many questioning whether the administration’s policies have strengthened or weakened national security. With President-elect Trump preparing to take office, the future direction of America’s security policies remains a pressing and divisive issue.
WATCH BELOW
Disgraced DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas: “The phenomenon of radicalization of individuals is not limited to the military … The military is not immune to it nor is the federal workforce.” pic.twitter.com/Cg0ON1k0qv
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) January 5, 2025