From Tommy Christopher:
At a contentious congressional hearing, Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) blasted Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen for not knowing how many migrants — like 7-year-old Jakelin Caal Maquin — have died in her department’s custody this year.
Cicilline was among several Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee who Nielsen to task at that hearing Thursday. He began his questioning by incredulously asking “Madam Secretary, did I understand you correctly to say that as you sit here today, you do not know how many human beings have died while in the custody of the department that you lead?”
“And you, in preparation for today’s hearing, you didn’t ascertain that number, but you don’t know it today?” he asked.
“I don’t have an exact figure for you,” Nielsen replied.
“Do you have a rough idea?” Cicilline asked.