Alejandro Mayorkas, Director of the Department of Homeland Security, testifies about the department's budget for fiscal year 2025 in Washington on Apr 16, 2024.
© Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK
(Washington, DC) – Impeachment charges brought against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas were quickly dismissed today by the US Senate. In measures that passed along party lines, Senate Democrats dismissed the charges, arguing they were “unconstitutional” because they failed to rise to the level of “high crimes and misdemeanors.”
The Republican-led House of Representatives impeached Mayorkas for his handling of the US Southern border. They argued Secretary Mayorkas violated his oath by failing to secure the border against crossings by illegal immigrants.
After the US Senate took up the proceedings today, Senate Republicans attempted to raise motions that would have led to a trial. Although it was always a given Mayorkas would be acquitted, Republicans sought to introduce evidence that points to conditions along the southern border, and how they have deteriorated under Mayorkas’ leadership.
That said, New York’s Senior Senator Chuck Schumer — also the senate majority leader — claims Republicans impeached Mayorkas because of a policy disagreement. By contrast, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell — a Republican — said dismissing the charges without holding an actual trial sets a “dangerous” precedent.
