The House of Representatives has sent impeachment articles against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate, initiating a trial. The charges against Mayorkas, selected by Republican leadership, relate to his handling of the border. The procession kickstarts trial proceedings in the Senate, where lawmakers will be sworn in as jurors on Wednesday.
House Republicans voted to impeach Mayorkas in mid-February, accusing him of failing to enforce border laws amid a surge in migrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border. The charges include allegations of “willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law” and “breach of public trust.” Mayorkas has called these allegations baseless.
A department official defended Mayorkas by pointing out that no administration has ever detained 100% of people suspected of crossing the border illegally. The official argued that if detaining all migrants is a requirement of the job, then every Homeland Security secretary should have been impeached since the department’s inception.
The House impeachment managers, who will present the case against Mayorkas in the Senate, include Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, and several representatives. Top Republicans are demanding a complete Senate trial, but it is possible that Senate Democrats may move quickly to dismiss the charges or send the matter to be heard by a committee.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell emphasized the importance of giving the charges thorough consideration and opposed efforts to table the articles of impeachment. While chances of a full-scale Senate trial are slim, it is still unclear how the impeachment proceedings will play out.
Mayorkas was on Capitol Hill earlier on Tuesday to advocate for more funding for the Department of Homeland Security. He highlighted the importance of supporting the dedicated public servants of DHS and delivering results through a fully resourced department.
If Mayorkas is impeached, he will become only the second Cabinet secretary in U.S. history to face impeachment, following William Belknap, a former secretary of war, in 1876.
As the trial progresses, it remains to be seen whether Senate Democrats will move to dismiss the trial or proceed with a committee hearing. The outcome of the impeachment proceedings against Mayorkas will have significant implications for the Biden administration’s efforts to address the border crisis and the future of Homeland Security.
Overall, this impeachment trial will serve as a critical test for the Senate’s ability to address allegations against Cabinet secretaries and uphold their responsibilities. It is a moment that will shape the political landscape and determine the course of action for future impeachment proceedings.
