Hawley Invites Testimonials from Mayorkas and Wray Following New Orleans Attack

In an urgent call to action, Senator Josh Hawley has moved for critical testimonies from top officials in the wake of a deadly attack in New Orleans.

His appeal to the Senate Homeland Security Committee requests summoning both Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray, as he demands a comprehensive account of the attack and any departmental shortcomings.

According to TheHill.com, Hawley conveyed this appeal to Senator Rand Paul, the upcoming chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, with hopes for Mayorkas and Wray to give their testimonies at the convening of the 119th Congress the following week.

Transparency and Accountability Sought as Current Presidential Term Nears End

With the end of President Biden’s term imminent, Hawley is highlighting the importance of responsibility and public accountability from the current administration’s officials. New Orleans has been left astounded after a pickup truck, driven by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen, rammed into a crowd on Bourbon Street.

The calculated attack resulted in at least 15 deaths and injuries to dozens of people. It is believed there is additional involvement, and the FBI has categorized the event as an act of terrorism.

“When the 119th Congress convenes next week, and you assume leadership of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, I urge you to immediately call Mayorkas and Wray to publicly testify prior to their departure from office,” Hawley persistently stated in his letter to Paul.

Demand for Thorough Investigation Surges Post Tragedy

Citing that the general public deserves a meticulous rundown of what exactly happened in New Orleans, Hawley insists on a full account of any possible department failures. Showing his commitment to ensuring government officials maintain the utmost responsibility and accountability, President Biden too shared heartfelt sympathies following the gruesome event.

“My heart goes out to the victims and their families who were simply trying to celebrate the holiday. There is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attack on any of our nation’s communities,” declared the President.

The unsettling details of the incident are troubling indeed. Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen, turned a celebratory scene on Bourbon Street into one of devastation and despair. The bold daylight attack, in which Jabbar drove his pickup truck into a crowd, resulted in many fatalities and multiple injuries.

Expectations High for Preventive Measures Amidst Incoming Congressional Convene

The shocking loss of innocent lives and the violent nature of the attack have swept New Orleans and the entire nation into mourning and shock. It is up to the administration and law enforcement agencies to unravel the motive behind this egregious act of violence.

With the seriousness of this situation, the task has befallen Mayorkas and Wray who, if Hawley's call is noticed, will have to give a comprehensive explanation of events and the various missteps that could have potentially avoided such a tragedy. This demand for testimonies reflects a commendable drive for government transparency and accountability during difficult times.

With the convening of the 119th Congress imminent, the entire nation watches as the chilling story unfolds. As investigations continue, the general public is anxious for the testimonies of Mayorkas and Wray. This horrifying act of violence has only begun to be unraveled, and with each passing day, the calls for answers only intensify.

The Senate should demand the public testimony of Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Wray immediately. That duo has been skipping out on hearings for months. Now there’s been a deadly attack on American soil. They need to provide answers pic.twitter.com/aiaTWX20PN

— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) January 1, 2025