The House Committee on Homeland Security, led by all 18 Republicans, advanced two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, accusing him of “willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law” and “knowingly obstructing lawful oversight.”
During the impeachment hearing, Rep. Clay Higgins, a former street cop, highlighted the historical context of impeachment, referencing the early debates of the Constitutional Convention.
Higgins argued that the term “high crimes and misdemeanors” includes neglect of duty, broadening its scope. He emphasized current border issues like illegal crossings and opioid deaths, asserting they justify Mayorkas’s impeachment. The session concluded with Higgins declaring Mayorkas’s imminent impeachment through the committee.
WATCH Higgens:
How we got here:
The committee convened last week to deliberate on the impeachment of Mayorkas, focusing on alleged high crimes and misdemeanors. The committee chairman justified the investigation, claiming it was thorough and warranted impeachment due to Mayorkas’s handling of the border crisis. Republicans argue that Mayorkas ignored laws, abused his power, and exacerbated the Southwest border crisis, prioritizing political interests over law enforcement. The impeachment articles highlight willful non-compliance with the law and breach of public trust.
As the committee proceedings began, the chair emphasized the solemn duty and reluctant necessity to address the impeachment matter. The committee members were reminded of their oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies. The narrative shifted to the committee’s extensive year-long investigation into the border crisis, producing six comprehensive reports totaling around 400 pages. Members, including law enforcement officers, witnessed the crisis’s impact firsthand during visits to the Southwest border.
The seriousness of the situation was underscored by citing families affected by fentanyl poisoning and remembering the 150,000 Americans lost to opioid overdose in 2021 and 2022. The committee portrayed its diligence in conducting hearings and making requests for information, accusing Democrats of obstructing oversight with mockery and dismissive attitudes.
The narrative detailed phases of the investigation, revealing alleged disregard, abuse, and dishonesty by Secretary Mayorkas. The focus shifted to the national security implications, human costs, and financial burdens caused by the border crisis. The investigation concluded with the assertion that Mayorkas enabled the misuse and waste of taxpayer resources, justifying impeachment.
Republicans referred to expert opinions, victims’ testimonies, and Democrats’ past statements during the Trump impeachment to underscore the seriousness of the proceedings. Accountability was emphasized, accusing Mayorkas of prioritizing political preferences over the law, the Constitution, and the framers’ intent.
Republicans rejected potential Democratic claims of rushing the impeachment process, expressing pride in the investigation’s thoroughness. The narrative concluded with presenting articles of impeachment, citing willful refusal to comply with the law and breach of public trust. The urgency for accountability was emphasized, invoking James Madison’s warnings about the dangers of improper continuance in power.
In conclusion, the committee, propelled by a sense of duty and armed with extensive findings, marked up articles of impeachment against Mayorkas, invoking historical context and emphasizing the gravity of the situation at the Southwest border.
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More on our coverage of Mayorkas and Higgins: