US House Republicans Impeach Biden’s Top Border Official
Republicans Impeach Biden’s Top Border Official
The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives narrowly voted to impeach Democratic President Joe Biden’s top border official, highlighting immigration as a major issue in the upcoming elections.
House Approves Impeachment
By a vote of 214-213, the House approved two articles of impeachment accusing Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas of not enforcing U.S. immigration laws, leading to record flows of migrants across the U.S.-Mexico border, and making false statements to Congress.
Historic Vote
This vote marked just the second time in U.S. history, and the first time in almost 150 years, that the House has impeached a member of a president’s Cabinet.
Unlikely Removal from Office
The Democratic-led chamber is highly unlikely, however, to vote to remove Mayorkas from office.
Immigration Concerns
A record number of migrants have illegally crossed the border from Mexico since Biden took office in 2021, making immigration a major concern for voters.
Republican Dissent
No Democrats backed Tuesday’s impeachment, while three Republicans defied their leadership in voting no. Mayorkas has said he does not bear responsibility for the border situation, blaming it instead on a broken U.S. immigration system.
Expert Opinions
Constitutional experts and even some Republicans have said the House investigation of Mayorkas failed to provide evidence of the “high crimes and misdemeanors” that the U.S. Constitution cites as reasons for impeachment. Instead, they cast the fight as merely “policy disputes.”
Border Security
The number of migrants arrested crossing the southern border illegally dropped by 50% in January from high levels in December, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said on Tuesday, citing seasonal trends and increased enforcement by the United States and partner countries.
Historical Context
The last Cabinet secretary to be impeached was President Ulysses S. Grant’s secretary of war, William Belknap, in 1876 following allegations of corruption. He was acquitted by the Senate.
Trump was twice impeached by the House, when Democrats held the majority, and was twice acquitted by the Senate, which was in Republican hands.
Republican Investigation
House Republicans are currently investigating whether any of Biden’s past behavior before moving into the White House might have constituted a high crime or misdemeanor that could result in impeachment. Some Republicans have said they do not see such evidence yet.
