Mayorkas Impeachment Trial Ends as Democrats Dismiss Charges

The Democratic-controlled Senate wrapped up the impeachment trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in a matter of hours Wednesday, quickly rejecting the charges brought by the Republican-led House related to his handling of border policy.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) said the charges against Mayorkas failed to meet the high standards for removal. In a speech on the Senate floor, he called it “the least legitimate, least substantive and most politicized impeachment trial ever.”

Senators were sworn in as jurors on Wednesday afternoon and signed an oath book as the proceedings got under way. Schumer called a vote on declaring that the first of two articles of impeachment—which alleged that Mayorkas has willfully refused to comply with federal immigration laws—was unconstitutional. That vote was successful, passing 51-48 with Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voting present, effectively