The U.S. Senate took swift action on Wednesday, dismissing both charges of illegal conduct against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Democrats successfully defended President Joe Biden’s top border security official, bringing a quick end to the Senate’s impeachment process.
The charges, brought by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives in February, accused Mayorkas of failing to enforce the nation’s immigration laws and lying to Congress — allegations that Mayorkas vehemently denies.
With a vote of 51-48, and Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski voting “present,” the Senate dismissed the accusation of Mayorkas failing to enforce U.S. immigration laws.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (Credits: ABC News)Following this, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer moved to dismiss the second charge of Mayorkas lying to Congress.
Schumer’s aim was to avoid a formal Senate trial, arguing that Republicans were misusing the Constitution’s impeachment mechanism to remove officials from office for offenses not meeting the criteria of high crimes, misdemeanors, or treason.
However, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell had initially called for a thorough consideration of the charges against Mayorkas.
Mayorkas (Credits: The Times Of Israel)He criticized the move to dispose of the case without a trial, stating that it would neglect the Senate’s fundamental responsibility and ignore the pressing crisis at the southern border.
The dismissal of the charges against Mayorkas marks an outstanding development in the ongoing debate over immigration policy and underscores the political divisions surrounding border security and enforcement measures.