The House of Representatives convened on Tuesday to vote on the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, following a recent unsuccessful attempt by House Republicans. Their aim is to thrust the southern border crisis into the spotlight for the upcoming 2024 elections.
The vote, which narrowly passed 214-213 along party lines, saw no Democratic support and only a few GOP members crossing party lines. This marked a historic moment as the House hadn’t impeached a cabinet secretary in nearly 150 years.
House Republicans accuse Mayorkas of intentionally allowing the border crisis to escalate, a charge they’ve pursued for some time. Mark Green, Chair of the GOP-led House Homeland Security Committee, emphasized the importance of holding officials accountable for what they perceive as lawlessness.
However, critics, including some Republicans and legal scholars, argue that the allegations against Mayorkas are primarily rooted in policy disagreements rather than impeachable offenses as outlined in the Constitution. They caution against politicizing future impeachment proceedings.
President Joe Biden criticized House Republicans for impeaching Mayorkas, particularly after rejecting a bipartisan border and immigration deal from the Senate. He labeled it a “political stunt.”
The Department of Homeland Security denounced the impeachment, stating that it lacked evidence and legitimate constitutional grounds. They defended Mayorkas’s decades-long dedication to enforcing laws and serving the nation.
Despite the House’s decision, it holds no immediate consequences. The Senate has the authority to conduct a trial to remove an impeached official, but Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has not committed to such proceedings, referring to them as a “sham.”
When the Senate reconvenes later this month, senators will be sworn in as jurors for a potential trial. However, it remains uncertain whether lawmakers are willing to endure such proceedings. Even if a trial were to occur, Mayorkas would likely be acquitted in the Democratic-controlled Senate, as several Republican senators question the grounds for impeachment.
Last week, House Republicans attempted to impeach Mayorkas but fell short when the vote resulted in a tie, with only one member absent. Three Republicans broke ranks to oppose the impeachment, contributing to its failure.
Rep. Mike Gallagher expressed concern that impeaching Mayorkas would set a dangerous precedent, leading to perpetual impeachment battles. The final vote tally was 214-216, with one Republican switching sides at the last minute as a strategic move to revisit the articles of impeachment in the future.
The impeachment saga reflects the deep partisan divide over immigration policy and underscores the challenges of governing in such a polarized environment. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the fate of Mayorkas and the broader implications of his impeachment remain uncertain.