WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — In a historic move, the U.S. House of Representatives has voted to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, making him the first Cabinet member to face impeachment in nearly 150 years. The impeachment, stemming from concerns over the Biden administration’s management of the U.S.-Mexico border, saw a tight vote of 214-213.
Despite failing in their initial attempt last week, House Republicans persisted in their efforts to hold Mayorkas accountable for what they perceive as a “willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law” regarding immigration enforcement and a breach of public trust.
The impeachment proceedings, driven by Republicans, underscore the heightened focus on border security and immigration enforcement as key issues leading into the 2024 election season.
Mayorkas’ handling of immigration policies, particularly amid a surge in illegal border crossings, has drawn intense scrutiny from Republicans. They argue that the administration’s approach has fueled record-breaking numbers of arrests for illegal border crossings, reaching an unprecedented high in December.
Despite the House’s impeachment vote, the matter now heads to the Senate, where the Democratic majority is expected to acquit or otherwise dismiss the charges against Mayorkas. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has labeled the impeachment effort as a “sham,” emphasizing that it lacks legitimate constitutional grounds.
President Biden has condemned the impeachment as an act of “unconstitutional partisanship,” accusing House Republicans of playing “petty political games.” He has emphasized the need for Congress to address the challenges at the border through legislative action rather than impeachment proceedings.
The outcome of the Senate trial remains uncertain, with some Republican senators expressing reservations about the impeachment, citing concerns that Mayorkas’ actions may not meet the constitutional threshold for impeachment.
