In a narrow 214-213 vote on Tuesday night, the House of Representatives moved to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. This decision comes after a previous failed attempt last week.
Historic Impeachment Proceedings:
Mayorkas became the first cabinet secretary to be impeached since War Secretary William Belknap in 1876. The vote saw overwhelming support from House Republicans, with only three abstentions.
Republicans have pointed fingers at Mayorkas for the ongoing border crisis, citing violations of immigration and border security laws. The articles of impeachment accuse him of enabling millions of illegal entries into the United States.
Presidential Response and Call for Unity:
President Joe Biden issued a report condemning the impeachment as a partisan political stunt. He urged Republicans to collaborate on border security measures instead of resorting to divisive tactics.
Defense of Mayorkas’s Record and Background:
The President defended Mayorkas’s integrity and service record, highlighting his immigrant background and decades-long commitment to law enforcement and public service.
The impeachment vote comes amidst escalating border statistics, with over 3.2 million migrant encounters in fiscal year 2023 and a record-breaking 300,000 encounters in December alone, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Political Maneuvering by Utah Representative:
Utah Rep. Blake Moore, who initially supported Mayorkas’s impeachment but switched his vote last week, played a strategic role in the proceedings, aiming to reintroduce the resolution later.