{"id":2353346,"date":"2024-10-10T17:36:01","date_gmt":"2024-10-10T21:36:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mayorkas-shuts-down-questions-on-how-suspected-afghan-terrorist-entered-us-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-10-10T17:37:06","modified_gmt":"2024-10-10T21:37:06","slug":"mayorkas-shuts-down-questions-on-how-suspected-afghan-terrorist-entered-us-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mayorkas-shuts-down-questions-on-how-suspected-afghan-terrorist-entered-us-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Mayorkas shuts down questions on how suspected Afghan terrorist entered US &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmayorkas-shuts-down-questions-on-how-suspected-afghan-terrorist-entered-us-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2353346&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>During \u200ba recent White House press briefing, Homeland Security \u2064Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas deflected questions regarding how \u200can Afghan man charged with \u2064plotting a terrorist attack on Election Day was allowed entry into\u2063 the \u200cUnited States. Lawmakers are increasingly concerned about national\u200d security risks related to Afghan refugees following the U.S. \u200dmilitary withdrawal in 2021.<\/p>\n<p>Mayorkas responded to inquiries by highlighting the department&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senate-passes-short-term-funding-bill-as-lawmakers-try-to-avoid-a-government-shutdown\/\" title=\"Senate Passes Short-Term Funding Bill As Lawmakers Try To Avoid A Government Shutdown\">hurricane relief efforts<\/a> instead\u2062 of addressing details about the vetting process for the individual, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, who reportedly pledged allegiance to ISIS. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also skirted questions, noting the situation\u2062 is an \u2063&#8221;active investigation.&#8221; She\u200b stated that all Afghan nationals who entered the\u2063 U.S. were \u2062screened by intelligence and law enforcement professionals.<\/p>\n<p>As U.S. lawmakers push for clarity, especially regarding potential threats from ISIS, Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee Mark Green is calling for answers from Mayorkas and the FBI about the vetting procedures \u2062for refugees. Concerns center \u200don the risks posed by individuals who may have entered the country during the chaotic evacuation from Afghanistan.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Mayorkas shuts down questions on how suspected Afghan terrorist entered US<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1792099\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Homeland Security Secretary <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/alejandro-mayorkas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Alejandro Mayorkas<\/a> shut down questions on how an Afghan man <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3182043\/afghan-national-arrested-alleged-election-day-terrorism-plot\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>charged with<\/a> planning an Election Day terrorist plot <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/3182909\/afghan-national-election-day-terror-plot-entered-us-immigration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>was permitted into the country <\/a>even as lawmakers raised concerns about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trust-in-media-hits-record-low-new-study-blames-readers-for-lack-of-confidence\/\" title=\"Trust In Media Hits Record Low\u2026 New Study Blames Readers For Lack Of Confidence\">national security ahead<\/a> of the November contest.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Mayorkas brushed off questions about how the man was allowed into the United States and details on what screening he underwent during the White House press briefing on Thursday. Instead, he redirected questions to the department&rsquo;s hurricane relief efforts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;d be very pleased to answer your question in a different setting, but we are here to talk about emergencies and support that we can deliver to people in desperate need,&rdquo; Mayorkas said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre similarly dodged questions during the briefing, even as reporters pressed her on a recent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/news\/afghan-accused-plotting-terror-attack-worked-cia-guard-officials-say-rcna174783\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>NBC News report <\/a>that the man arrested in the terrorist plot had previously worked as a security guard in Afghanistan for the CIA. Jean-Pierre declined to comment, noting the situation is still under &ldquo;active investigation.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mayorkas brushed off questions about how the man was brought into the United States as well as details on what screening he underwent to enter the country during a briefing on Thursday. (Graeme Jennings\/Washington Examiner)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;What I can say is every Afghan national who entered the U.S. was screened and vetted by intelligence, law enforcement, counterterrorism professionals,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;With every new information that emerges that [an] individual poses a threat to public safety, we take immediate action, and we take that action.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>As top Biden administration officials avoid questions on the matter, lawmakers have begun pressing for answers about any threats from the Islamic State ahead of the 2024 election, particularly in relation to the refugees who entered the U.S. following the Biden administration&rsquo;s military withdrawal in 2021.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green (R-TN) sent a letter to Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray on Thursday demanding answers about Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, who was arrested in Oklahoma City on Monday after the agency uncovered his alleged plot to carry out a large-scale attack on public crowds on Election Day.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Tawhedi is believed to have entered the country during the chaotic U.S. military withdrawal from Kabul in 2021, prompting criticism of Republicans who have decried the Biden-Harris administration&rsquo;s screening and vetting processes of the tens of thousands of Afghans it airlifted to the U.S.&nbsp;during that time.<\/p>\n<p>Tawhedi had pledged support to ISIS, which the U.S. has designated as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lawmakers-consider-enacting-statute-to-increase-punishments-for-domestic-terrorism\/\" title=\"Lawmakers consider enacting statute to increase punishments for domestic terrorism\">foreign terrorist organization<\/a>. He had also reportedly worked with a co-conspirator who entered the U.S. through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/3182909\/afghan-national-election-day-terror-plot-entered-us-immigration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>the Special Immigrant Visas program<\/a>, which was created for those who helped the U.S. during the Afghanistan&nbsp;War. A 14-step process is required to obtain this type of visa.<\/p>\n<p>Green is pressing the federal departments for answers on how they vetted applicants, accusing the Biden administration of failing to &ldquo;take measures to safeguard U.S. national security by allowing alleged terrorists into the interior of the United States to plot terrorist attacks.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;These recent arrests raise serious concerns about the ongoing threat that ISIS and its fanatical supporters pose to U.S. national security, as well as the shortfall in the Biden-Harris administration&rsquo;s screening and vetting capabilities,&rdquo; Green said in a statement.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Other lawmakers have expressed concerns about the suspected terrorist plot, including Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), who said he &ldquo;was highly vocal about the need to thoroughly vet SIV applicants during, and in the weeks, months, and years following, the Biden-Harris administration&rsquo;s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Rep. Pat Fallon (R-TX) echoed similar sentiments, noting the arrest was &ldquo;yet another indicator&rdquo; that the Afghanistan withdrawal has put the safety of people in the U.S. at risk.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Charging documents filed by federal prosecutors say Tawhedi told the FBI that he and his co-conspirator had planned to die as martyrs in an attack. The alleged terrorist had gone as far as ordering AK-47 rifles, taking steps to liquidate his family&rsquo;s assets, and even purchasing one-way tickets for his wife and child to travel to Afghanistan, according to officials.<\/p>\n<p>It&rsquo;s not clear if Tawhedi entered by way of the southern border or was one of tens of thousands of Afghans airlifted out of Kabul only later to be paroled into the country.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1792099\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1792099\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mayorkas dismisses inquiries on Afghan terrorist&#8217;s U.S. entry<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3464,"featured_media":2353347,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/010124_WH_KARINE_MAYORKAS-11-1024x682.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[42753,33709,36382,5058],"class_list":["post-2353346","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-afghan-terrorist","tag-border-security","tag-immigration-policy","tag-mayorkas"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/010124_WH_KARINE_MAYORKAS-11-1024x682.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2353346","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3464"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2353346"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2353346\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2353347"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2353346"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2353346"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2353346"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}