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In a historic move, the House of Representatives narrowly voted to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, marking the first impeachment of a cabinet member in nearly 150 years. The contentious decision, with a vote of 214 to 213, comes amidst escalating tensions over the handling of the unprecedented influx of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Republicans, who predominantly supported the measure, attribute the surge in migrants to Mayorkas’ alleged failure to effectively secure the border. This divisive issue has sharply divided lawmakers along party lines, with only three Republican representatives breaking ranks to oppose the impeachment, citing concerns about the severity of the alleged offenses and the efficacy of impeachment as a remedy.
President Joe Biden swiftly denounced the impeachment as a “blatant act of unconstitutional partisanship” and a “political stunt,” defending Mayorkas as an “honourable public servant” who has upheld the rule of law.
The Department of Homeland Security pushed back against the impeachment, accusing Republicans of prioritising political theatrics over addressing the border challenges. Meanwhile, Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson reiterated his stance that Mayorkas “deserves to be impeached,” citing alleged failures in enforcing immigration policies and providing misleading information about border security.
The impeachment proceedings, outlined in the U.S. Constitution, now move to the Democratic-led Senate, where they are expected to face significant hurdles. With Democrats holding a narrow majority, the likelihood of a successful conviction remains slim.
Mayorkas joins a short list of federal officials to face impeachment, with the last cabinet secretary impeached being Secretary of War William Belknap in 1876.
Despite the political turmoil, a CBS poll conducted in January indicates that nearly half of Americans perceive the situation at the border as a crisis, with a majority advocating for tougher border policies. However, recent data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency suggests a 50% decrease in border crossings in January, attributed to seasonal trends and enhanced enforcement efforts.
As the impeachment process unfolds, the nation remains deeply divided over immigration policies and border security, with the outcome of the Senate trial poised to have significant implications for the Biden administration’s approach to one of its most pressing challenges.
