During a White House press briefing on Thursday, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was questioned by Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich about the arrest of an Afghan national who allegedly planned a terrorist attack on Election Day. The individual, identified as Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, is a 27-year-old Afghan national who was working for the CIA in Afghanistan before being brought to the US.
Tawhedi was reportedly arrested for conspiring to conduct a terrorist attack on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). According to the Department of Justice, he allegedly planned the attack while living in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Heinrich asked Mayorkas about the circumstances surrounding Tawhedi’s arrival in the US, specifically whether he had undergone proper vetting and what immigration status he had been granted. However, Mayorkas became visibly annoyed and refused to answer her question.
Instead, he changed the subject, citing the need to focus on the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, which had caused widespread destruction and loss of life. Mayorkas claimed that he would be happy to answer Heinrich’s question at a later time, but Heinrich pressed on, pointing out that the issue was relevant and timely.
The exchange became increasingly tense, with Mayorkas growing more agitated and Heinrich persisting in her questioning. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was overheard laughing before moving on to the next question.
Heinrich also asked Mayorkas if he could assure Americans that “appropriate steps have been taken to secure the country against these kinds of threats.” Mayorkas responded by saying that Heinrich’s persistence in questioning was matched by his persistence in providing answers, but he failed to address her specific question about the security measures in place.
