House impeaches Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas

Pictured is Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security. (Courtesy of U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Wikimedia Commons)

By Matthew Royer
Feb. 13, 2024 6:07 p.m.
This post was updated Feb. 13 at 10:07 p.m.
The Republican-led House of Representatives impeached Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas on Tuesday after failing to do so last week.
The House voted 214-213, with most members voting along party lines. It is the first time in almost 150 years that Congress impeached a cabinet secretary. Republicans – led by Speaker Mike Johnson – attempted Feb. 6 to impeach Mayorkas but failed by two votes. Three Republicans voted Tuesday with the Democratic House minority.
However, Tuesday’s effort was successful, as two Democratic representatives were not present and Rep. Steve Scalise, House majority leader, returned to Congress after cancer treatment to ensure his party’s majority.
The articles of impeachment will now go to the United States Senate, where the House impeachment managers will present the case to senators. Senate Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer said in a statement that since the Senate is currently in recess, the trial will not start until Feb. 26.
It is unlikely the Senate will convict Mayorkas, as the upper chamber has a Democratic majority.
Republicans’ main claim for impeaching Mayorkas is the country’s immigration policies under President Joe Biden, which is a focus of former president Donald Trump’s ongoing presidential campaign. Breaking with traditional impeachment proceedings, the GOP did not identify specific crimes or corruption, rather alleging that the DHS secretary committed constitutional crimes by carrying out Biden’s policies, according to the articles of impeachment.
Biden said in a press release that he disagreed with the House’s actions.
“History will not look kindly on House Republicans for their blatant act of unconstitutional partisanship that has targeted an honorable public servant in order to play petty political games,” he said in the press release.
Biden added that he believed Republicans in Congress are refusing to pass bipartisan policies, instead favoring impeachment.
Johnson said in a statement that Mayorkas deserved to be impeached for his alleged actions.
“Secretary Mayorkas has willfully and consistently refused to comply with federal immigration laws, fueling the worst border catastrophe in American history,” Johnson said in the statement. “He has undermined public trust through multiple false statements to Congress, obstructed lawful oversight of the Department of Homeland Security, and violated his oath of office.”