Amidst the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has faced criticism for his handling of relief efforts. After visiting storm-ravaged North Carolina on Thursday, where he assured the public that the federal government would provide full support, Mayorkas was spotted dining at the upscale sushi restaurant Nobu in Washington, D.C.
The timing of his restaurant visit sparked controversy, with some accusing Mayorkas of prioritizing personal leisure over the pressing needs of hurricane victims. The New York Post published photos of Mayorkas leaving Nobu with several to-go bags, further fueling criticism. This incident comes after Mayorkas was previously criticized for going shoe shopping in the days following Hurricane Helene’s landfall.
Mayorkas has defended his actions, emphasizing the federal government’s commitment to aiding disaster-stricken communities. He reiterated his assurance that no resources intended for Hurricane Helene relief would be diverted to Hurricane Milton, which is also affecting parts of the U.S.
The DHS reported that search and rescue teams have rescued over 4,300 people stranded or lost due to Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, and over 220 deaths have been reported across the Southeast. Despite the ongoing humanitarian crisis, the timing of Mayorkas’s restaurant visit has raised eyebrows and prompted questions about his priorities.
Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), chimed in on the controversy, questioning Mayorkas’s focus on the disaster response. He cited reporting from Fox News’ Chad Pergram about untapped FEMA funds, suggesting that Mayorkas should be addressing these concerns rather than indulging in luxury dining.
While Mayorkas has stated that the federal government is fully committed to helping those affected by Hurricane Helene, the controversy surrounding his actions has fueled public debate and scrutiny of the government’s response to the disaster.
