Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has been impeached by the House of Representatives.
A Cabinet secretary has not been impeached by the U.S. Congress since 1876.
The office of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Mayorkas’ impeachment trial will begin later this month.
Mayorkas, who previously served as the Secretary of Homeland Security under the Biden administration, has come under fire for various reasons. Critics argue that he mishandled immigration policies and failed to effectively address border security issues. These concerns have escalated to the point where members of Congress felt it necessary to initiate impeachment proceedings against him.
The impeachment vote in the House of Representatives marked a significant moment in Mayorkas’s career, as it highlighted widespread dissatisfaction with his job performance. While some lawmakers supported his removal from office due to his alleged failures and mismanagement, others argued that this move was politically motivated.
Regardless of the motivations behind the vote, Mayorkas’s impeachment raises questions about his ability to effectively fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to him by the American people. It also underscores ongoing debates surrounding immigration policies and border security measures.
As news of Mayorkas’s impeachment spread across various media outlets on February 13th, it remains uncertain what consequences this will have on his political future or if he will be able to retain his position within the Biden administration. The outcome of these proceedings will likely have far-reaching implications not only for Mayorkas but also for broader discussions on immigration reform and national security moving forward.
Prior to the impeachment vote, Republicans took to social media expressing their concerns with Mayorkas.
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) confirmed this news on X, saying, “Time to hold this crook accountable for the American people!”
Tonight, the House will impeach Mayorkas for his role in the invasion at our southern border and being willfully derelict in his duties.
Mayorkas has released more than 6.2 million illegals into our communities, he has lied, he has violated 10 laws passed by Congress, and he…
— Rep. Lauren Boebert (@RepBoebert) February 13, 2024
The resolution, H. Res. 863, has been introduced to the House of Representatives, alleging Secretary Mayorkas of committing high crimes and misdemeanors. This sets the stage for a highly debated vote in the House.
The resolution specifically includes two articles that accuse Mayorkas of deliberately and systematically failing to comply with the law when enforcing border policies, as well as breaching public trust.
Under President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas’ administration, the border was opened immediately, resulting in the use of American tax dollars to support millions of undocumented immigrants by providing them with food, shelter, clothing, and transportation throughout the entire country.
This is seen by some as facilitating an invasion against the American people. However, it should be noted that last week three Republican members of Congress who are considered RINOs did not share this perspective and instead supported Mayorkas.
Last week’s attempt to impeach Mayorkas resulted in a tie vote as Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA), Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO), and Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) crossed party lines and joined the Democrats.
After being absent last week, House Republican Leader Steve Scalise has now returned to the Capitol and announced his intention to vote in favor of impeaching Alejandro Mayorkas.
House Speaker Mike Johnson celebrated his return with a selfie on X:
We’re grateful the House will be welcoming back this week my good brother and fellow Louisianan @SteveScalise, who is now in complete remission from cancer.
Steve is a fighter and God has answered our prayers. Looking forward to having him back in the trenches this week! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/ciMzrgLAxI
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) February 12, 2024
PBS reports,
Having failed to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas the first time, House Republicans are determined to try again Tuesday, but it’s not at all certain the do-over vote will produce a better tally after last week’s politically embarrassing setback.
The evening vote is expected to be tight with Speaker Mike Johnson’s threadbare GOP majority unable to handle many defectors or absences in the face of staunch Democratic opposition to impeaching Mayorkas, the first Cabinet secretary facing charges in nearly 150 years.
Despite the expected arrival of Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who will bolster the GOP numbers after being away from Washington for cancer care, even one other missing or weather-delayed lawmaker could imperil the Mayorkas impeachment. If the vote pushes later into the week, the outcome of Tuesday’s special election in New York to replace ousted Rep. George Santos could tip the balance further.
Johnson posted a fists-clenched photo with Scalise, announcing his remission from cancer, saying, “looking forward to having him back in the trenches this week!”
