Mayorkas turns into first cupboard secretary impeached since 1876

The Home on Tuesday voted 214-213 to question Secretary of Homeland Safety Alejandro Mayorkas over his dealing with of an inflow of migrants throughout the U.S.-Mexico border.

Why it issues: It is the primary time since Struggle Secretary William Belknap in 1876 {that a} cupboard secretary has been impeached, although Mayorkas is all however sure to be acquitted by the Senate.

• The vote was Republicans’ second try at impeachment following their surprising loss final week, during which the three GOP defections and the absence of Home Majority Chief Steve Scalise (R-La.) led to a tie vote.

Driving the information: The Home impeached Mayorkas on two counts, “willful and systemic refusal to adjust to the regulation” and “breach of public belief.”

• Reps. Ken Buck (R-Colo.), Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) and Mike Gallagher (R-Wisc.) voted with all Democrats towards impeachment.

The small print: The 22-page articles of impeachment accuse Mayorkas of failing to conform federal regulation and court docket rulings round migrant detention and blames him for a surge in border crossings in the course of the Biden administration.

• Mayorkas has “demonstrated he’ll stay a risk to nationwide and border safety” and “acted in a way grossly incompatible along with his duties and the rule of regulation,” the measure says.
• Moreover, Mayorkas is accused of false statements to Congress and obstructing oversight from Congress and the DHS inspector common.

The opposite facet: Democrats, DHS officers and a few Republicans have blasted impeachment as a political effort not backed up by proof.

• McClintock, in a memo, stated the articles “stretch and warp the Structure” and warned they’re headed for “repudiation” within the Senate.
• “Home Republicans might be remembered by historical past for trampling on the Structure for political achieve,” DHS spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg stated in an announcement.

What’s subsequent: The articles now head to the Senate, the place Majority Chief Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has declined to decide to holding a trial.