The House of Representatives has voted to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, marking the first time a cabinet member has faced impeachment in almost 150 years. The narrow vote of 214 to 213 comes as many Republicans blame Mayorkas for a surge in migration at the US-Mexico border. The issue will now be sent to the Democratic-led Senate, where it is expected to fail. President Joe Biden criticized the impeachment as a blatant act of unconstitutional partisanship and a political stunt. The vote largely followed party lines, with the majority of Democrats opposing the impeachment. Only one cabinet official, Secretary of War William Belknap in 1876, has previously been impeached in American history. The Department of Homeland Security denounced the move, accusing House Republicans of disregarding the Constitution. Mayorkas and the department will continue their efforts to ensure the safety of Americans.
The House of Representatives has narrowly voted to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, making him the first cabinet member to face impeachment in nearly 150 years, CNN reports. The impeachment comes amid growing concerns from Republicans over a surge in migrants at the US-Mexico border, for which they largely blame Mayorkas. The Republican-led chamber voted 214 to 213 in favor of the measure, following a failed attempt last week. The impeachment will now be taken up by the Democratic-led Senate, but it is unlikely to pass.
President Joe Biden condemned the vote, calling it a blatant act of unconstitutional partisanship and a political stunt. The vote largely followed party lines, with 210 Democrats voting against the impeachment. Three Republican representatives, Tom McClintock of California, Ken Buck of Colorado, and Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, also voted against the measure.
The impeachment of Mayorkas marks a historic moment, as only one cabinet official has previously been impeached in American history: Secretary of War William Belknap in 1876.
The Department of Homeland Security criticized the actions of House Republicans, accusing them of trampling on the Constitution for political gain. House Republicans will be remembered by history for trampling on the Constitution for political gain rather than working to solve the serious challenges at our border, said DHS spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg in a statement. The department emphasized that Secretary Mayorkas and his team will continue working diligently to keep Americans safe.
As the first cabinet secretary to be impeached in almost 150 years, Alejandro Mayorkas now faces a challenging road ahead. The impeachment vote raises questions about the potential impact on border security and immigration policies under the Biden administration. While the issue moves to the Senate, where its failure is anticipated, it has generated significant attention and controversy.
The impeachment of a high-ranking government official is always a contentious affair, and this case is no exception. Republicans accusing Mayorkas of mishandling the immigration situation at the US-Mexico border claim that the surge in migrants is a direct result of his policies. Democrats, for their part, have largely stood firm in their support of Mayorkas, dismissing the impeachment as a partisan move.
Only time will tell how this historic event will shape the political landscape and impact future decisions regarding border security and immigration in the United States. The Department of Homeland Security continues to emphasize its commitment to keeping Americans safe while navigating this complex and challenging issue.
