Mayorkas impeachment moves to Senate for trial

Senators swear in as jurors Wednesday, April 17, for the impeachment trial against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The Senate will issue a summons to Mayorkas, informing him of the charges and requesting a written response; he is not required to appear.

Today, for only the second time in American history, the US Senate received articles of impeachment for a cabinet secretary.

We must do our duty and conduct a trial for Secretary Mayorkas. pic.twitter.com/bSX6ZnXbYU

— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) April 16, 2024

House Republicans have charged Mayorkas with failing to enforce immigration laws and betraying public trust. House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the need for a full trial to hold those responsible for the border crisis accountable.

“Impeachment should never be used to settle a policy disagreement,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said. “That would set a horrible precedent for the Congress.”

Schumer “is the only impediment to delivering accountability for the American people,” Johnson said. “Pursuant to the Constitution, the House demands a trial.”

The articles of impeachment against Secretary Mayorkas are a political sham that nowhere meet the standard for high crimes and misdemeanors.

Full stop.

— Senate Judiciary Committee (@JudiciaryDems) April 16, 2024

The Department of Homeland Security has called the charges baseless. With Democrats controlling the Senate, they are expected to attempt to dismiss the charges this week before full arguments are presented.

If not dismissed outright, Schumer announced that senators will be sworn in as jurors at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17.