The House of Representatives, led by the Republican party, has voted to impeach Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Republicans allege that Mayorkas has failed to enforce border laws, a claim his supporters vehemently deny as unfounded.
According to the New York Times, the House voted 214-to-213 in favor of Mayorkas' impeachment for his alleged non-enforcement of border laws. This vote comes after an unsuccessful attempt last week by Republicans to impeach Mayorkas when the House dismissed the charges against him.
"The historic impeachment of Secretary Mayorkas will send a message to the Biden administration that the American people will hold them accountable for willfully refusing to enforce the laws of the United States," said Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY). "The Mayorkas impeachment today follows a months-long investigation into the record-breaking eight million illegal border crossings that have happened under his watch. I recently joined local elected officials from our community and the former New York Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director to discuss the severity of this crisis that continues to shatter records and squander taxpayer resources, turning every community into a border community."
President Joe Biden responded with a statement saying, "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 further praised Secretary Mayorkas, describing him as "a Cuban immigrant who came to the United States with his family as political refugees" and who "has spent more than two decades serving America with integrity in a decorated career in law enforcement and public service."
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) also weighed in on this issue: "This sham impeachment effort is another embarrassment for House Republicans. The one and only reason for this impeachment is for Speaker Johnson to further appease Donald Trump," he said. "House Republicans failed to produce any evidence that Secretary Mayorkas has committed any crime. They also failed to show he has violated the constitution."
