Senate Dismisses Impeachment Charges Against Secretary Mayorkas
Summary from the AllSides News Team
The Senate rejected the impeachment charges brought against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
For Context: In February, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted to impeach Mayorkas, accusing him of failing to enforce immigration policy at the southern border amid a surge in border crossings. The impeachment was always expected to fail in the Democratic-controlled Senate.
Details: The two articles of impeachment, both alleging a “willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law,” were dismissed. The first count was dismissed in a 51-48 vote, with all Democrats voting in favor of dismissal and all but one Republican voting against. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted “present.” The vote to dismiss the second article of impeachment passed following a 51-49 vote along party lines.
Key Quotes: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Shumer (D-NY) called the impeachment the “least legitimate, least substantive and most politicized impeachment trial ever,” arguing, “To validate this gross abuse by the House would be a grave mistake and could set a dangerous precedent for the future.” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) pushed back on this, arguing that “Tabling articles of impeachment would be unprecedented in the history of the Senate.”
How the Media Covered It: New York Times (Lean Left bias) stated that Mayorkas “was never accused of corruption or of any crime other than carrying out immigration policies that Republicans oppose.” The Wall Street Journal (Center bias) stated that Republicans have pursued “politically laden charges against Democrats” since gaining control of the House in 2022.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
Senate Dismisses Impeachment Charges Against Mayorkas Without a TrialThe Senate on Wednesday dismissed the impeachment case against Alejandro N. Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary, voting along party lines before his trial got underway to sweep aside two charges accusing him of failing to enforce immigration laws and breaching the public trust.
By a vote of 51 to 48, with one senator voting “present,” the Senate ruled that the first charge was unconstitutional because it failed to meet the constitutional bar of a high crime or misdemeanor. Republicans united in opposition except for Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, the...
From the Center
Mayorkas Impeachment Trial Ends as Democrats Dismiss ChargesThe 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...
From the Right
Senate Democrats kill both articles of impeachment against DHS Secretary MayorkasBoth articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas were deemed unconstitutional by the Senate on Wednesday in two party-line votes.
The first of two articles of impeachment alleged Mayorkas engaged in the "willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law" regarding the southern border in his capacity as DHS secretary. The second claimed Mayorkas had breached public trust.
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., proposed a point of order declaring the first article unconstitutional, to which the majority of senators agreed following several failed motions by...
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May 20th, 2024