Hawley asks panel to call Mayorkas and Wray to testify after New Orleans attack

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) is asking the Senate Homeland Security Committee to call on Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI director Christopher Wray to testify after the New Orleans attack.

Hawley sent a letter to incoming chairman of the committee Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), emphasizing Biden administration officials “cannot shirk public accountability” as President Biden’s term ends.

“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 said.

Hawley wants a “full account of this attack” and any failures by their departments highlighted.

The attack was carried out by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen, who drove a pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon street killing at least 15 and injuring dozens of others.

Authorities believe others were involved and the FBI is investigating the event as an “act of terrorism.”

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

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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