Republicans on the House Homeland Security Committee moved forward with their effort to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas following emotional testimony from two victims of the border crisis, but Democrats called for their own hearing. He moved to hold the event and denounced it as a “MAGA spectacle” by Congress. majority.
All Republicans on the committee voted to move forward with impeaching Mayorkas, but Republicans have accused him of mishandling the ongoing crisis at the southern border. A resolution on impeachment is expected to be made by the end of this month.
“The Secretary has consistently and intentionally and systematically refused to abide by the laws passed by Congress, abused his authority, and repeatedly betrayed the trust of Congress and the American people,” 18 Republican senators said after the hearing. ” he said.
House Homeland Republicans seek written testimony from Mayorkas.Department of Homeland Security denounces 'malicious' impeachment push
“His failure to fulfill his oath of office has resulted in a border crisis unprecedented in U.S. history that has claimed the lives of thousands of Mayorkas's fellow citizens,” the paper said.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas speaks during a press conference at the Border Patrol Station in Eagle Pass, Texas, on January 8, 2024. (John Moore/Getty Images)
The hearing itself, the second impeachment hearing, focused on crime victims, including Tammy Nobles, whose daughter was killed by illegal immigrant MS-13 gang members, and Josephine Nobles, who lost her daughter to fentanyl poisoning. We took Mr. Dunn's testimony.
“This is not a political issue. This is a safety issue for everyone living in the United States. This daughter could have been anyone's daughter. I don't want any other parent to have to live a nightmare like the one I'm living.” I don't want you to experience that,” Nobles said.
“In my humble opinion, Mr. Mayorkas' border policies are partially responsible for my daughter's death,” Dunn said, claiming that Arizona has become a “fentanyl highway” into the United States. .
But amid that testimony, there was intense political exchange between Republicans and Democrats over Mayorkas' own testimony and the possibility of additional hearings. Mr. Mayorkas had expressed his intention to testify in person, but he had said he would not be able to attend this hearing. Republicans say the lack of specificity amounts to obstruction and have been trying to have him testify in border-specific hearings since August.
DHS pushed back against these claims, accusing Republicans of “political play.”
“It's clear they have no interest in hearing from Secretary Mayorkas because it doesn't fit with their malicious and planned unconstitutional hasty move to impeach him. has offered to testify publicly before the committee. Since then, the committee has been unable to respond to DHS to find a mutually agreeable date,” spokeswoman Mia Ehrenberg said ahead of the hearing. Stated.
Republicans and Democrats oppose Mayorkas impeachment hearings as state legislature explains impact of immigration crisis
“Secretary Mayorkas can object all he wants, but the paper trail is clear: he has consistently and tacitly refused to attend,” a majority wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). I reacted. blame mayorkas “Indefinite delay”.
The White House said Thursday that Republicans have “chosen extreme far-right politics” and “scapegoated Cabinet secretaries who are actively working to find solutions to problems that Congressional Republicans have spent years actually refusing to do.” “They're trying to make him a goth,” he said, and expressed a similar opinion. solve. “
Democratic lawmakers on the committee moved Thursday to request a minority-led hearing, arguing that House rules require such a hearing in an impeachment inquiry. Republicans argued there was no need to do so because they had their own witnesses at the hearing.
Ranking Member Bennie Thompson accused Republicans of “predetermining the outcome.”
House Homeland Democrats back Mayorkas, slam Republicans as 'lies' ahead of impeachment hearings
“This is not a real impeachment. It's a paid MAGA spectacle.” [with] “American tax dollars are being used for Republican political gain,” he said.
The battle is the latest flashpoint in the border dispute between Republicans and the Biden administration.
Republicans have blamed the crisis on the Biden administration, saying its “catch-and-release” policies, reductions in domestic enforcement, and rollbacks on Trump-era border policies have led to historic influxes at the border. They claim Border Patrol is overwhelmed and unable to stop them. Influx Escape Act and Fentanyl.
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The administration says it is dealing with a hemispheric crisis and needs more funding from Congress and immigration reform. The agency also noted record numbers of deportations since May, higher than all of fiscal 2019, and record numbers of fentanyl seizures at the border.
