OAN’s Brooke Mallory
2:47 PM – Thursday, March 28, 2024
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D.Y.) announced Thursday that two impeachment charges against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas have been filed in a letter from Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and House Republican impeachment managers. It was announced that the case would be presented to the Senate on the 26th. April 10thth.
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Mayorkas has been charged by House Republicans with “high crimes and misdemeanors,” including “breach of public trust and willful and systematic refusal to comply with the law.”
This means the long-awaited indictment will finally reach the Senate on Wednesday, when senators return to Washington after their two-week Easter break.
Taking this step would force the Senate to consider the case, at least formally, and Mr. Schumer would have to either hold a full trial on the Senate floor, vote to drop the charges immediately, or take the case to court. You will need to choose whether to refer the matter to Special Evidence Committee.
In a letter also signed by House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Greene (R-Texas) and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas), Prime Minister Johnson said: I strongly urge you to schedule it as soon as possible.”
“The evidence on both charges is clear, comprehensive, and convincing, and the House’s solemn act of impeaching the first sitting Cabinet member in American history requires timely action by the Senate,” they wrote. .
For Mayorkas to be found guilty and removed from office, the Senate would need to vote by a two-thirds majority on the allegations.
“If Sen. Schumer cares about the Constitution and ending the devastation caused by Mr. We will listen to their arguments.”
The House voted by a narrow margin on February 13, a week after an earlier vote in the full House failed 214-216.th Impeach Mayorkas on two charges (214-213). Three House Republicans, Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.), Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), and Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), joined Democrats in voting against the charges. Ta.
On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reiterated its previous declaration, calling the action a “baseless and unconstitutional impeachment.”
“House Republicans will go down in history as having trampled on the Constitution for political gain rather than working to solve serious challenges at our border,” the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.
“Without a shred of evidence or sound constitutional basis, and despite bipartisan opposition, House Republicans have unfairly slandered a dedicated public servant who has served our country enforcing our laws for more than 20 years. did.”
Senate Pro Tempore Patty Murray (D-Wash.) will preside over the chamber, and senators will be sworn in as jurors in the trial the next day, according to a statement Thursday from Schumer’s office. This comes after the House impeachment managers introduced articles of impeachment to the Senate.
Senators could then vote to send the matter to the evidence committee or drop the charges immediately. A third possibility would be to allow the House impeachment managers to hold a full trial on the floor.
House Republicans responded to the complaints in a letter released Thursday, alleging Mayorkas “refuses to comply with the requirements of the immigration laws passed by Congress.”
“In fact, through a series of memorandums, he directed: [Homeland Security] “Employees may violate U.S. immigration law,” they added. “During his tenure, he has repeatedly lied to Congress and the American people about the scope of the crisis and his own role in it.
“His illegal actions have contributed to a historic crisis that has devastated communities across our country, from the smallest border towns in Texas to New York City.”
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Rep. Clay Higgins (R-Louisiana), Rep. Ben Kline (R-Va.), Rep. Michael Guest (R-Mississippi), and Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-New York). ), Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), August Pflueger (R-Texas), Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.), and Laurel Lee (R-Fla.) also wrote the letter. signed.
“The House of Representatives has determined that Secretary Mayorkas committed an impeachable offense. This matter will now be considered by the United States Senate. We believe the Senate needs to hold a trial,” said Senate Republican John Thune. Senate Majority Leader (SD) made the remarks at the weekly Senate Republican leadership press conference.
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