House Votes to Impeach DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in Historic Move
In a historic move, the House of Representatives voted to impeach Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Tuesday. This marks the first time in nearly 150 years that a Cabinet secretary has been impeached. The House Republicans took this rare step after accusing Mayorkas of “willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law” and a “breach of public trust” under two articles of impeachment.
The impeachment push, however, is unlikely to succeed in the Senate, which has the final say over removing officials under the Constitution. Despite this, the House’s decision to impeach Mayorkas sends a strong message about the dissatisfaction with his performance and the administration’s handling of the U.S.-Mexico border.
The House narrowly voted 214 to 213 to impeach Mayorkas, with three Republicans opposing the move. Last week, a previous attempt to impeach him fell short, but this time, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s return after cancer treatment gave Republicans the narrow majority they needed to proceed with the impeachment.
The Department of Homeland Security responded to the impeachment push by stating that it lacked any evidence or basis in the Constitution. Democrats have also criticized the effort, calling it a political stunt with no constitutional basis. Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson, the top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, stated that “this baseless impeachment will do nothing to secure the border.”
Constitutional scholars have argued that the allegations against Mayorkas do not rise to the level of impeachable offenses, as outlined in the Constitution. However, enough Republicans supported the move to impeach Mayorkas due to their dissatisfaction with the administration’s handling of border security. House Speaker Mike Johnson described Mayorkas as an “exceptional case” and claimed that he has caused more damage to the country than any other cabinet secretary in history.
Now that Mayorkas has been impeached, the matter will move to the Senate. However, it is highly unlikely that he will be removed from office, given that a two-thirds majority would be required for conviction in the Democratic-controlled Senate. Senators from both parties have criticized the House for holding an impeachment vote, knowing that it will ultimately fail in the Senate.
The Senate is expected to convene and receive the impeachment articles from the House before deciding on any action. The Senate rules suggest that a trial must begin the day after receiving the articles, but there is room for interpretation and potential delays or dismissal of the impeachment. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s office announced that Mayorkas’ impeachment trial will start after senators return to Washington on Feb. 26.
Despite the impeachment being unlikely to succeed, it serves as a significant moment in American politics. The House’s decision to impeach a Cabinet secretary demonstrates the growing discontent and frustration with the current administration’s policies and actions. While Mayorkas may ultimately remain in office, this impeachment vote sends a clear message that his performance is being closely scrutinized and that his actions will not go unchecked.
In conclusion, the House’s historic vote to impeach DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas highlights the deep divisions and dissatisfaction within the political landscape. While it is unlikely to lead to his removal from office, the move serves as a powerful statement against his handling of border security and compliance with the law. The Senate’s upcoming trial will provide further insight into the fate of Mayorkas and the future of the Department of Homeland Security.
