Alejandro Mayorkas, the Department of Homeland Security secretary, slammed a Republican legislator during a heated standoff on Capitol Hill after the senator accused Joe Biden’s cabinet member of being indifferent to a DHS worker’s hatred of Israel.

Mayorkas, who is normally composed and polite, made a rare exception during Tuesday’s hearing of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. He reprimanded Sen. Josh Hawley for accusing his staffers of being indifferent to Jews and Israeli citizens.

Mayorkas criticized Hawley’s attack on him for supporting Hamas in Gaza, when he was himself the descendant a Holocaust survivor.

Hawley began his questioning by expressing concern about an employee of Citizenship and Immigration Services (a DHS agency) who posted on social media that he was celebrating the Hamas’ attack on Israel last October.

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“F Israel, its government and its military. Are you prepared for your demise? Hawley read a post on Instagram by USCIS employee Nejwa Ali who had previously worked for Palestinian Liberation Organization.

Mayorkas called Ali’s longer statement “odious” and said it did not reach the level of terrorist ideologies or speech.

She also posted this graphic. It is a well-known graphic. I’m not going to lie, but we all understand it. It’s a Hamas-style paraglider with a machinegun flying towards Israel. Hawley stated that she posted it online under her alias, with the celebratory Free Palestine. “Mr. What’s the matter, Secretary? Is this typical for people who work for DHS? “This is an immigration and asylum officer who posts these blatantly pro-genocidal images and slogans on the same day that Israelis were being murdered in their beds.”

Mayorkas responded with four points. He began by rebuking Hawley for slandering the 260,000 employees of the department.

“No. Mayorkas replied: “No.

Hawley repeatedly interrupted and asked if Mayorkas fired Ali before finally continuing to discuss the other points.

You say it is despicable that I ask this question. Hawley inquired, “Has she been fired?”

“That person has been placed in administrative leave. … No. Mayorkas stated that the person was hired in 2019. “Two, I am unable to comment on a personnel issue that is ongoing.”

Hawley responded to Mayorkas’ response by asking why Ali was not fired despite being suspended. The senator asked Ali if she had used her position as an immigration officer in order to discriminate against Jews and Israelis who applied for admission to the United States.

“I cannot believe you would have come to the committee knowing that.” You already know this. You know about it. You are well-informed. You come unwilling to answer, and you suggest that I am wrong to ask the question. Hawley stated, “Quite frankly, Mr. Secretary, I find your performance despicable and the fact that you refuse to answer the questions of this committee absolutely atrocious.”

Mayorkas then asked Gary Peters, D-MI, for permission to reply to Hawley about his accusations.

“No. “No. “No. “No.

“Perhaps, he doesn’t know that I am the daughter of a Holocaust survivor.” Mayorkas stated that he may not be aware of the fact that my mother almost lost her entire family to the Nazis. “I find his tone of opposition to be completely misplaced. It is disrespectful to me and my heritage. “I do not expect an explanation.”

Hawley requested Peters to give a response, but was denied.

Hawley questioned Mayorkas later at the end, but the Senator did not apologize to Mayorkas or explain his comments.