House Speaker Mike Johnson made an announcement on Thursday stating that the impeachment articles against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas will be forwarded to the Senate on April 10. Subsequently, senators are expected to be sworn in and seated as a jury on April 11.
Johnson and the Republican impeachment managers have recently sent a letter urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to promptly schedule a trial for the matter at hand.
The House impeached Mayorkas on Feb. 13 with a vote of 214-213. Republicans accused him of failing to enforce border laws during a supposed “crisis” of high illegal immigration, allegations that the secretary dismissed as “baseless.” However, Johnson held off on submitting the articles until the government was fully funded.
“DHS spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg vehemently denies the baseless accusations made by House Republicans against a respected public servant. Despite lacking any evidence or valid Constitutional grounds, these unfounded claims have been made. The dedicated individual in question has faithfully served our nation and upheld the law for over two decades. Secretary Mayorkas and the Department of Homeland Security remain steadfast in their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the American people, as they diligently carry out their duties every single day.”
Once the articles are submitted, the Senate will proceed to swear in and seat as a jury.
Senator Schumer has not yet revealed his plans for the impeachment articles. However, there is widespread speculation that Democrats may swiftly move to undermine the impeachment effort.
There are several options available for how to proceed in this situation. One option is to move forward with a trial, where the articles of impeachment would be examined and a decision would be reached. Another option is to dismiss the articles of impeachment through a simple majority vote. Lastly, the matter could be referred to an impeachment committee for further consideration and investigation.
In a letter, House Republicans urged their colleagues to fulfill their constitutional duty by proceeding with the trial. They emphasized the importance of addressing the concerns of the American people, which include securing the border, resolving the crisis, and holding those responsible accountable. The letter further stated that disregarding any arguments or evidence without a fair hearing would not only undermine the constitutional order but also disrespect the citizens whom they all serve.
The impeachment managers consist of a group of highly esteemed individuals including Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, Rep. Andy Biggs, Rep. Ben Cline, Rep. Andrew Garbarino, Rep. Michael Guest, Rep. Harriet Hageman, Rep. Clay Higgins, Rep. Laurel Lee, Rep. August Pfluger, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
In recent days, several Republican senators have also urged Schumer to hold a complete trial. If he proceeds, a two-thirds majority vote from the Senate would be necessary to convict Mayorkas and oust him from his position. However, at present, there is insufficient support to achieve this outcome.
