Frank Bowman, III, a professor emeritus at the University of Missouri School of Law, has stated that despite potential disapproval from Congress regarding U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas's actions, impeachment is not warranted. Bowman provided this perspective during his role as a witness in a hearing conducted by the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Homeland Security.
Bowman elaborated on his stance through several statements. He said, "If one believes that both legal and illegal immigration are bad for the country and ought to be dramatically constrained, then one can fairly oppose Biden’s policy choices." Furthermore, he added that "If members of Congress oppose this Administration’s policy choices, they have ample tools to express that opposition through legislation." However, he cautioned that "at least if Congress seeks to remain true to established constitutional law and precedent, that opposition cannot be transmuted into a case for impeaching Secretary Mayorkas."
In his written witness testimony, Bowman clarified that his contributions were offered as "advice" to the committee based on his constitutional knowledge and experience rather than personal opinion. He discussed various constitutional grounds for impeachment throughout the testimony and concluded that none apply to Mayorkas.
According to video recordings of the proceedings available on YouTube, the hearing also featured testimonies from three other witnesses: Austin Knudsen, Gentner Drummond, and Andrew Bailey. These individuals serve as attorney generals for Montana, Oklahoma, and Missouri respectively. Their collective position was in favor of impeachment as they claimed Mayorkas had neglected his duties concerning security at the southern border.
In concluding his written testimony, Bowman argued that all arguments supporting Mayorkas's impeachment essentially amount to expressions of disapproval over changes in border policy since the Trump administration.
Bowman's witness biography reveals an extensive background in law and academia. He is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Missouri with experience as a prosecutor at both state and federal levels. He has taught at multiple universities and was a visiting fellow in 2023 at the Rothermere American Institute at Oxford University. His specializations include constitutional law, impeachment, pardon power, and federal sentencing law.
The Committee on Homeland Security, which held the hearing, was established following the September 11 attacks. Created in 2002 and officially recognized as a Standing Committee of the House in 2005, its primary role is to develop and implement policies and laws aimed at protecting Americans from terrorist threats.
