Mayorkas and Hawley Clash in Heated Exchange Over DHS Employee's Antisemitic Posts

Mayorkas and Hawley got into a heated exchange during a Senate hearing when Hawley questioned antisemitic social media posts by a DHS employee.

Hawley pressed Mayorkas on whether the employee was fired. Mayorkas refused to answer, citing an ongoing personnel matter.

Hawley said Mayorkas' unwillingness to answer was "despicable" and "atrocious."

Mayorkas, who is Jewish, responded passionately, saying he found Hawley's implications and tone "despicable" and "disrespectful of me and my heritage."

The exchange came amid a rise in reported antisemitic acts in the U.S. since the Israel-Hamas conflict.