House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has confirmed that on April 10, the House of Representatives will transmit articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate.

In a letter dated March 28 addressed to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Johnson urged for the prompt scheduling of a trial.

.@EpochTimes: Mayorkas Impeachment Articles to be Sent to Senate on April 10: Johnson https://t.co/uAJ0lRkbpn

— Jackson Richman (@jacksonrichman) March 28, 2024

The letter

The letter, co-signed by prominent members of Congress including House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green (R-TN) and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas), accused Mayorkas of flouting immigration laws and directing DHS employees to violate U.S. immigration laws. It also alleged that Mayorkas had repeatedly misled Congress and the public about his involvement in the border crisis.

Mayorkas, appointed by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Democratic Senate in 2021, became only the second presidential Cabinet member in U.S. history to be impeached.

The House voted on two counts related to his handling of the border crisis, with a narrow margin of 214–213, primarily along party lines.

The second attempt

This impeachment followed a previous attempt, which initially resulted in a tie vote of 215–215 but later shifted to 214–216 after a procedural move allowed reconsideration.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) cast the decisive vote in favor of impeachment.

Despite objections from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and President Biden, House Republicans proceeded with impeachment, drawing criticism for potential partisan motivations.

The upcoming Senate case

Following the transmission of the articles of impeachment to the Senate, senators will be sworn in as jurors the next day, with Senate President Pro Tempore Patty Murray presiding.

The outcome of the trial remains uncertain, as a trial and subsequent vote may not necessarily occur. Nonetheless, senators must undergo the swearing-in process as part of the procedure.

Mayorkas' impeachment underscores the contentious political landscape surrounding immigration policy, with Republicans accusing the DHS secretary of overreach and dishonesty. Conversely, Democrats may view the impeachment as a politically motivated move to undermine the Biden administration's immigration agenda.

The trial's implications extend beyond Mayorkas himself, as it raises questions about the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches and underscores the polarized environment surrounding immigration policy.

As the proceedings unfold, both parties will likely seek to leverage the trial's outcome for political gain, highlighting the implications for the 2024 election and beyond as Republicans hope to earn an advantage on the border crisis issue.