Chairman Thompson Subpoenas DHS Acting Secretary McAleenan and NCTC Acting Director Travers

(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, issued subpoenas to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan and Acting National Counterterrorism Center Director Russell Travers for an October 30th public hearing on terrorist threats facing the country. Since July, the Committee has attempted to secure the participation of the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security and the Acting Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, along with the FBI Director, in this hearing. DHS and NCTC agreed to testify and subsequently pulled out of the hearing, prompting the Committee to compel their testimony.

Chairman Thompson released the following statement on the subpoenas:

“From the release of ISIS prisoners in Syria to the rising number of domestic terrorism incidents here at home to the continuing effort by Russia to meddle in our elections, there are urgent security threats facing the nation. I am concerned that turmoil within the White House and vacancies at the highest levels of the Department of Homeland Security are undermining our ability to respond to terrorist threats. It is inexcusable that the people charged with keeping the country safe from terrorism are refusing to show up to testify before Congress and speak to the American people about what they are doing to secure the homeland. It is unfortunate but not surprising the Administration would not keep its word and that subpoenas have become necessary, but the Committee will carry out its oversight responsibilities entrusted to Congress by the Constitution.”

McAleenan Subpoena

Travers Subpoena

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Media contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978