NewsAlejandro Mayorkas in trouble, House of Representatives voted for impeachment

Alejandro Mayorkas in trouble, House of Representatives voted for impeachment

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 02: United States Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayrokas delivers remarks during a naturalization ceremony in the East Room of the White House on July 02, 2021 in Washington, DC. Twenty-one people were sworn in as naturalized citizens during the ceremony. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 02: United States Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayrokas delivers remarks during a naturalization ceremony in the East Room of the White House on July 02, 2021 in Washington, DC. Twenty-one people were sworn in as naturalized citizens during the ceremony. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Images source: © GETTY | Chip Somodevilla

6:56 AM EST, February 14, 2024

The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives has indicted National Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. This is the first attempt to remove a member of the president's cabinet from office since 1876.

A single vote was decisive

214 Republicans voted in favor of impeachment. 213 lawmakers, including three from the GOP, voted against. Reuters points out that Tuesday's vote reversed the embarrassing legislative defeat that House Speaker Mike Johnson suffered last week, when a similar effort failed. Republican Steve Scalise, who missed last week's vote due to cancer treatment, secured the deciding vote on Tuesday.

Next, the proposal will go to the Senate, where it will have little chance due to the fact that Democrats have a majority in the Senate.

Why Republicans want to dismiss Homeland Security Secretary?

Alejandro Mayorkas is accused of "willful and systemic refusal to obey the law" and "breach of public trust." Republicans have long claimed that he did not prioritize the detention of people who illegally crossed the border.

Mayorkas is further accused of making false statements to Congress and obstructing the oversight of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) inspector general.

According to CNN, Republicans are accusing Mayorkas of committing crimes in connection with the situation on the southern border, contrary to the opinions of constitutional experts noting the lack of sufficient evidence against the politician.

According to data cited by Republicans, under Mayorkas, the number of illegal immigrants apprehended at the border has increased from an average of 600,000 a year during the Donald Trump administration to 2 million today. Meanwhile, the number of migrants who avoided capture at the border rose from 130,000 a year to 580,000.

A similar case in the past

Reuters points out that we had a similar situation, with Trump being twice impeached by the House, when the Democrats held the majority, and acquitted twice by the Senate, which was in the hands of the Republicans

Source: Reuters, CNN

Source:EssaNews
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