The House Homeland Security Committee passed two articles of impeachment early Wednesday against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The move came amid Republican criticism of President Joe Biden’s immigration policies.
In an 18-15 party-line vote, the panel approved a resolution accusing Mayorkas of failing to uphold the law and breaching public trust over the surge of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. The decision sets the stage for a House vote as soon as next week, escalating the political feud over immigration as the midterm elections loom.
Republicans proceeded without concrete evidence of criminal wrongdoing by Mayorkas, arguing that his border policies violated the law. Legal scholars, including conservatives, criticized the move, calling it an abuse of impeachment power.
Mayorkas would become only the second Cabinet secretary in U.S. history to be indicted by the House, facing charges unlikely to pass the Democratic-controlled Senate. Still, it promises a contentious political debate on immigration.
The Homeland Security Committee’s marathon session highlighted the partisan divide. Republicans outlined their case against Mayorkas, while Democrats pushed back, arguing that the Biden administration dealt with unprecedented migrant waves given limited resources.
Republicans accused Mayorkas of attracting migrants and compromising national security. Democrats countered that Biden pledged to address immigration challenges with bipartisan legislation.
Mayorkas, who was denied the opportunity to testify publicly, refuted the charges in a letter to the panel, asserting that the accusations were false and baseless.
Democrats accused Republicans of politicizing the border crisis to bolster Trump’s reelection prospects. Republicans defended the impeachment, citing Mayorkas’ alleged failure to enforce immigration laws.
The last Cabinet secretary impeached was William W. Belknap in 1876, charged with corruption during Ulysses S. Grant’s presidency. He was acquitted by the Senate.
