Staff Reports
In a historic move, the House of Representatives has voted to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The final vote count was a close 214-213. House Speaker Mike Johnson wasted no time in expressing his dissatisfaction with Mayorkas’ performance. In a statement, Johnson accused the secretary of willfully refusing to comply with federal immigration laws, leading to what he dubbed as “the worst border catastrophe in American history.”
Just In: After a Second Vote, The House Has Impeached DHS Sec. Mayorkas by a Razor-Thin Margin https://t.co/3QVlPqZc5k
— Tea Party Patriots (@TPPatriots) February 14, 2024
Johnson further accused Mayorkas of undermining public trust through false statements to Congress, obstructing lawful oversight, and violating his oath of office. The House speaker concluded by stating that Mayorkas deserved to be impeached, and it was the constitutional duty of Congress to act.
President Joe Biden swiftly responded to the news, condemning the impeachment as a “blatant act of unconstitutional partisanship.” He defended Mayorkas as an honorable public servant who was being targeted for political gain. Interestingly, Mayorkas is the first Cabinet member to be impeached since Secretary of War William Belknap in 1876.
The articles of impeachment will now be sent to the Senate, controlled by the Democrats. However, the chances of conviction are slim, as it requires a two-thirds vote of the members to remove an official from office. The previous attempt to impeach Mayorkas failed last week, with a vote count of 214 for impeachment and 216 against. Republican representatives Mike Gallagher, Tom McClintock, and Ken Buck crossed party lines and joined Democrats in both votes.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the impeachment effort, calling it a “sham” and an embarrassment for House Republicans. He suggested that it was all done to appease former President Donald Trump. The fate of Alejandro Mayorkas now rests in the hands of the Senate, where the drama is expected to continue.
