Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas Impeached by Republicans Over Immigration Policy Dispute
Washington (USA): Republicans in the House of Representatives successfully impeached Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Tuesday, accusing him of a “willful and systemic refusal” to enforce immigration law and a “breach of public trust.”
This marks the first impeachment of a Cabinet secretary in almost 150 years. The move is part of the Republicans’ strategy to make border security a prominent issue in the upcoming November elections, blaming Mayorkas for a surge in illegal entries from Mexico.
The first impeachment attempt failed last week, but a re-run passed narrowly with a 214-213 vote, aided by the return of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise. President Joe Biden condemned the impeachment as a “blatant act of unconstitutional partisanship,” calling it a move to play “petty political games.”
The impeachment is largely symbolic, as Mayorkas is expected to be acquitted in the Democratic-led Senate trial. The House has only previously impeached one other Cabinet official in 1876, Secretary of War William Belknap, over corruption allegations rather than policy disagreements.
