Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has publicly criticized Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray for their absence at a scheduled Senate hearing on Thursday. Hawley alleges that both officials chose to skip the hearing to avoid facing questioning regarding the recent verdict in the disturbing case of Laken Riley’s murder.

Postponed Hearing Raises Eyebrows

Mayorkas and Wray were slated to testify before the Senate Homeland Security Committee, but the hearing was abruptly postponed when they insisted on a classified setting that excluded the public. Following the delay, Senator Hawley appeared on Fox News Digital to express his discontent, urging Committee Chairman Gary Peters (D-Mich.) to issue subpoenas compelling both Mayorkas and Wray to deliver their testimonies publicly.

Hawley’s Accusations Against Mayorkas

In his remarks, Hawley did not hold back, specifically targeting Mayorkas for his role in the case of Riley’s murderer, Jose Ibarra. “Let’s not forget who let him into the country,” Hawley stated, questioning the integrity of Mayorkas’s previous claims about Ibarra’s immigration status. “Mayorkas lied about how he got into the country. He said authorities didn’t have information about his past crimes. False. Then he claimed he didn’t remember the details. False. Now he’s refusing to comment.” Fox News Digital reached out to the Department of Homeland Security seeking a response, but received no immediate reply.

Sentencing of Jose Ibarra

Jose Ibarra was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Wednesday for the murder of Laken Riley. The chilling details of the case have captivated national attention and have prompted significant scrutiny of immigration policies and law enforcement procedures.

LAKEN RILEY MURDER: FAMILY OF SLAIN UGA STUDENT SOBS IN COURT AS WITNESSES DESCRIBE CRIME SCENE EVIDENCE

Continuing Tensions in Congress

Thursday’s hearing marks the second instance in just two days where Mayorkas and Wray have navigated away from public scrutiny, insisting instead on a classified environment for their testimonies. Earlier in the week, a scheduled hearing before the House Homeland Security Committee was also postponed until December under similar conditions. A source within the committee confirmed that this upcoming hearing will also be classified.

The sentiment among some senators, however, is one of frustration. Senator Hawley has actively criticized this trend and is pushing for accountability. “The Senate should not comply so easily,” Hawley declared, insisting on public testimony from Mayorkas and Wray.

Officials from both the FBI and DHS defended their absence, stating that Mayorkas and Wray have already engaged in “extensive testimony” to various government bodies, including the House and Senate, alongside public dialogues with the American people.

Calls for Accountability and Resignation

Despite the claims from DHS and the FBI, Senator Peters has remained silent on the issue of subpoenas for Mayorkas and Wray. Nonetheless, he has expressed his criticism through social media channels, arguing that their refusal to testify publicly deprives the American public of essential information.

In light of the growing controversy surrounding the case and Spokesperson’s responses, Hawley took the opportunity to call for Wray’s resignation ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. Citing Wray’s record on illegal immigration and an alleged hostility toward Catholic Americans, Hawley asserted, “If he doesn’t resign, Trump should fire him.”