In the wake of a tumultuous week marked by unprecedented levels of illegal migration at the southern border, House Republicans are intensifying their push for the impeachment of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Several House Judiciary Committee members, who are responsible for conducting impeachment proceedings, have expressed their support for moving forward with the process.
Representative Chip Roy (R-TX) emphasized the situation's urgency, stating, "He should be impeached as soon as humanly possible." Representative Ben Cline (R-VA) echoed these sentiments, revealing his support for initiating impeachment hearings, which he believes is long overdue.
Meanwhile, Representative Barry Moore (R-AL) asserted that Mayorkas has been aiding cartels and child traffickers rather than prioritizing the American people, emphasizing the need for his impeachment.
These calls for impeachment have gained traction following the Biden administration's decision to lift Title 42 border protection, a move that coincided with border officials apprehending over 10,000 illegal migrants per day for multiple consecutive daysrecord-breaking figures. Since Mayorkas assumed his role, officials have apprehended over five million illegal migrants at the southern border, not including an estimated 1.5 million individuals who managed to evade capture.
Despite mounting pressure, Mayorkas has dismissed calls for impeachment, asserting his focus on the tasks at hand. In an interview with CNN, he stated, "I am focused on the work in front of us... I will continue to focus on [DHS's] work throughout my tenure."
Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ), a longstanding advocate for border security, has been actively rallying support for his articles of impeachment against Secretary Mayorkas, which he introduced earlier this year. His spokesperson confirmed that Biggs is proceeding with complete determination.
Similarly, Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH), who openly expressed his belief in Mayorkas's impeachment, is working behind the scenes with the Homeland Security Committee members to devise an optimal approach. This collaborative effort aims to gather evidence and establish how the secretary has committed impeachable offenses.
Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, Representative Mark Green (R-TX), intends to pursue a "fact-finding mission" that investigates the failures at the border. The findings from this mission could potentially serve as critical support for the Judiciary Committee's deliberations on impeachment articles.
The growing interest within the Republican conference to remove Mayorkas from his position was apparent when House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) revealed his support for impeachment.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) took a more cautious approach, highlighting his constitutional perspective on impeachment while emphasizing that he had previously called for Mayorkas's resignation due to his perceived failures in the role.
Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY), a member of the Judiciary Committee, argued that Mayorkas's willful nonenforcement of border policies could warrant removal from his position. Massie stressed the importance of holding accountable individuals who demonstrate incompetence in such crucial roles.
As the debate surrounding Mayorkas's impeachment intensifies, it remains to be seen how House Republicans will proceed. While some members call for immediate action, others carefully strategize their approach to ensure a solid case is presented.
In the coming months, hearings focused on border security and immigration, including one featuring Secretary Mayorkas, will likely play a significant role in determining the viability of impeachment.
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