House Votes to Impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas

The US House of Representatives has made history by voting narrowly, with a 214-213 vote, to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. This action marks the first time a cabinet member has faced impeachment in nearly 150 years, following the likes of William Belknap in 1876. The move was largely driven by Republicans who blame Mayorkas for what they consider a failure to address the surge of migrants at the US-Mexico border.

President Joe Biden, in response to the vote, condemned the impeachment as a ‘blatant act of unconstitutional partisanship’ and criticized it as a ‘political stunt’. The impeachment effort was led by Republican Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, who emphasized Mayorkas’ alleged failure to fulfill his duties in securing the border. The vote revealed a split along party lines, with only three Republican representatives dissenting from their party.

The Democratic-led Senate is set to review the impeachment next, although the likelihood of Mayorkas being convicted and removed from office is deemed low, given the Senate’s narrow Democratic control. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the House Republicans for what he called ‘a new low’, labeling the impeachment as ‘sham’ and driven by political motivations.

Key figures in the impeachment process included Rep. Steve Scalise, whose return after a medical absence due to cancer treatment provided Republicans with the necessary margin to secure the vote. Additionally, Democratic Representative Al Green made a dramatic appearance to vote against the impeachment, having been wheeled into the chamber in hospital scrubs straight from an emergency room visit.

President Biden stood by Mayorkas, describing him as ‘an honourable public servant’ who has upheld the rule of law and displayed a deep commitment to national values. The Department of Homeland Security expressed disappointment in the Republican-led impeachment, with spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg accusing Republicans of prioritizing political gains over the country’s border challenges.