Senate Democrats are poised to potentially end the impeachment trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Wednesday, even before arguments commence.
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is anticipated to call for votes to dismiss the two articles of impeachment against Mayorkas immediately after senators are sworn in as jurors.
This move could effectively terminate the trial, frustrating Republicans who have insisted on giving House prosecutors the opportunity to present their case. Democrats appear unified in their opposition to proceeding with the trial.
Mayorkas impeachment trial (Credits: AP News)
Mayorkas himself expressed his focus on the Department of Homeland Security‘s mission during an appearance on CBS’ “CBS Mornings” show, where he discussed the department’s campaign to promote online safety for children.
The House voted narrowly in February to impeach Mayorkas over his handling of the U.S.-Mexico border crisis, alleging that he willfully neglected to enforce immigration laws.
However, Democrats argue that the GOP’s case against Mayorkas does not meet the constitutional standard for impeachment, and Schumer is expected to have enough votes to end the trial promptly.
Although House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, have urged Schumer to convene a trial, the Senate’s Democrat majority holds the power to determine the trial’s fate. It remains unclear precisely how Democrats will proceed on Wednesday, but they have the authority to manage the trial as they see fit.
House votes to impeach Mayorkas (Credits: PBS)
While Senate Republicans may attempt to voice objections, they cannot prevent dismissal if majority Democrats have sufficient votes. Nevertheless, some Republicans, like Sen. Mitt Romney, have expressed reservations about the trial’s legitimacy, suggesting that Mayorkas’ actions do not meet the constitutional threshold for impeachment.
If Democrats opt not to dismiss the articles, they could choose to follow the precedent of previous impeachment trials for federal judges and create a trial committee to investigate the charges further.
However, given the current political landscape and the upcoming presidential election, Democrats may prefer to halt the process altogether.
Regardless of the trial’s outcome, its potential impact on Mayorkas and the broader political landscape remains uncertain. If the trial proceeds, it would mark the third impeachment trial in five years, following the impeachments of former President Donald Trump.
