Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has accused the Biden-Harris administration of covering up Vice President Kamala Harris’ involvement as “border czar” to assist her 2024 presidential campaign. Gaetz claims that Ian Sams, a White House staffer now working for the Harris campaign, blocked his request for documents regarding Harris’ role.
Gaetz alleges this interference may violate ethics rules and has requested unredacted communications. The accusation centers on Harris’ handling of the border crisis and potential misuse of government resources.
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In a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Gaetz said, “I am concerned that the good government work of your career employees—to respond in a timely fashion to a small but important request of a Member of Congress—was scuttled by a White House cover-up to assist candidate Kamala Harris in her campaign.”
“The very staffer, Ian Sams, who blocked my oversight request is now a senior spokesman for the Harris campaign. At the time he was engaged in a cover-up for her using government resources, he already had lined up his job on her campaign, which he officially started less than two weeks later. This is shady,” said Gaetz.
In August, Gaetz sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas requesting all correspondence since March 2021 that referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as the “border czar.”
In March 2021, President Joe Biden assigned Vice President Harris the role of “border czar” to manage the significant increase of migrants at the U.S.–Mexico border.
Biden described Harris as “the most qualified person to do it” at the time. However, Vice President Harris and mainstream media outlets denied being tasked with this position, given the failure at the southern and northern borders.
On March 24, 2021, Biden said, “The vice president has agreed — among the multiple other things that I have her leading, and I appreciate it — agreed to lead our diplomatic effort to work with those nations to accept returnees and enhance migration enforcement at their borders” appointing Harris to advise on and coordinate policy on the border and immigration crises.
For those who don’t know, a Czar is a person appointed by the government to advise on and coordinate policy in a particular area.
Gaetz demaned the following information by August 30, 2024:
- All communications between the Office of the Vice President and any employee (including detailees) of the Department of Homeland Security, between March 24, 2021, and March 24, 2022, using the term “czar,” “border,” “migration,” or “immigration.”
- Any communications of the Department of Homeland Security (including detailees), between March 24, 2021, and March 24, 2022, referring to Vice President Kamala Harris or the Office of the Vice President as “czar” or “lead,” or otherwise in any formal or informal chain-of-command related to border-policy issues.
- Any internal Department of Homeland Security directives or guidance, from 2021 to the present, referring to the Vice President or the Office of the Vice President as having any formal or informal clearance, approval, or stakeholder input on Departmental decisions.
In July, the House of Representatives passed a resolution condemning Vice President Kamala Harris for her role in what has been described as the most catastrophic border crisis in U.S. history.
The resolution, introduced by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY), cleared the chamber in a 220-196 vote, with six Democrats voting “yes.” reflecting growing concerns over the handling of immigration and border security under the current administration.
The resolution criticizes Vice President Harris, who was appointed by President Joe Biden as the administration’s “Border Czar,” for failing to effectively address the surge of illegal immigration and the ongoing humanitarian crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border as reported by Axios in 2021.
The text of the resolution highlights several key issues, including the increase in border crossings, the strain on border facilities, and the administration’s policies, which opponents argue have exacerbated the situation.
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“Today my resolution condemning Kamala Harris for her role as Joe Biden’s open border czar passed the House. Let me be clear: Harris and every elected Democrat owns this historic border crisis that has turned every community into a border community. It is time that we return to President Donald Trump’s border security policies that put the safety of American citizens first,” said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.
“At our Northern Border in the Swanton Sector, I have seen firsthand with the Border Patrol the disastrous consequences of Kamala Harris’ failed Far Left open border agenda which caused a historic surge in illegal crossings like we have never seen at our Northern Border before including individuals on the terrorist watchlist. Kamala Harris didn’t just create a national security crisis, but a humanitarian crisis that has endangered the lives of millions. House Republicans will secure the border,” said Stefanik.
The resolution’s passage with bipartisan support underscores the broad concern over border security. Several Democrats crossed party lines to vote in favor of the resolution, citing the need for more effective leadership and solutions.
Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX), whose district is heavily impacted by the border crisis, was among those who supported the resolution. “This is not about politics; it’s about finding real solutions to a serious problem that affects all Americans,” Cuellar stated.
Congresswoman Laurel Lee (R-FL) released a statement after the House of Representatives voted on H. Res. 1371, Strongly condemning the Biden Administration and its ‘Border Czar,’ Kamala Harris, failure to secure the United States border.
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“Early in his administration, President Biden appointed Vice President Kamala Harris to lead efforts to mitigate the flow of illegal immigration into the United States. Unfortunately, since that time, Vice President Harris abandoned her duties which has resulted in the worst border crisis in modern American history. We have seen more than 9.9 million illegal immigrant encounters nationwide, making every community across the country a border community and threatening our national security,” said Rep. Laurel Lee. “Vice President Harris is directly responsible for the administration’s failed border policies and for failing to keep our nation safe. This resolution condemns Harris’ role as President Biden’s border czar and the dangerous open-border policies that have caused this crisis.”
The White House rejected Republican criticisms of Vice President Harris, defending the administration’s approach to the southern border and criticizing GOP lawmakers for rejecting the border deal negotiated by senators earlier this year.
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