Homeland Security Secretary Tests Positive for COVID-19 Two Days After Event With Bidens

(L to R) President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and others attend the Annual National Police Officers' Memorial Service at the U.S. Capitol. (DHS Photo/Benjamin Applebaum)

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday although he is fully vaccinated, according to a spokesperson for the agency.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson Marsha Espinosa said Mayorkas “tested positive this morning for the COVID-19 virus after taking a test as part of routine pre-travel protocols.”

“Mayorkas is experiencing only mild congestion; he is fully vaccinated and will isolate and work at home per [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] protocols and medical advice. Contact tracing is underway,” Espinosa added.

The diagnosis came after Mayorkas attended the Annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service at the Capitol alongside President Joe Biden on Sunday. It’s not clear if the two came into close contact with one another.

“To Secretary of Homeland Security Mayorkas, thank you for being here and for the great job you’re doing for us,” Biden said during the event. “Thank you very, very much. And it’s a tough job.”

Photos published by the Department of Homeland Security online show Mayorkas standing less than one foot away from First Lady Jill Biden, who is standing next to the president. Mayorkas, according to the photos, was also seen standing next to FBI Director Christopher Wray.

The Bidens are vaccinated against COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. President Biden, 78, received his third COVID-19 vaccine dose several weeks ago.

Mayorkas, 61, was scheduled to travel with Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Colombia but is now at home.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes COVID-19 breakthrough cases as fully inoculated individuals who test positive.

Former Secretary of State and Army Gen. Colin Powell, 84, died earlier this week of complications from COVID-19, according to his family. He was vaccinated but was also being treated for blood cancer.

Several other high-profile Washington officials who have reported breakthrough CCP virus cases include State Department spokesman Ned Price and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). Graham became the first vaccinated senator to test positive earlier in August.

Reps. Joseph Morelle (D-N.Y.) and Darren Soto (D-Fla.), who are also vaccinated, tested positive in recent days.

Mayorkas last month came under considerable fire after thousands of mostly Haitian illegal immigrants gathered and camped underneath a bridge in Del Rio, Texas. In late September, the secretary confirmed that about 12,000 Haitians were released into the interior of the United States.

And last week, the Texas Department of Public Safety and DHS confirmed to Border Report that both agencies are anticipating a possible surge of thousands of more illegal immigrants who reportedly are gathering to form a caravan in Mexico and are heading north.