The U.S. Senate took action on Wednesday, dismissing two impeachment articles targeting Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
In a party-line vote of 51-49, the Democrat-controlled chamber opted to adjourn the impeachment trial, deeming the accusations against Mayorkas—related to alleged non-compliance with immigration laws and breach of public trust—as falling short of constitutional grounds for high crimes and misdemeanors.
Efforts to end the trial followed unsuccessful attempts by Republicans to adjourn the proceedings or shift to a closed session, all met with defeat, except for Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who voted “present” on the motion to drop the first article of impeachment.
As House Republican impeachment managers delivered the articles, marking the beginning of the trial, senators were sworn in as jurors. The impeachment stems from House Republicans’ decision, on their second try in February, to impeach Mayorkas.
While Republicans pushed for a trial, Senate Democrats leaned towards dismissing or tabling the articles, arguing they didn’t meet the constitutional threshold for impeachment.
Following the Senate’s decision, Republicans criticized Democrats, viewing the avoidance of a trial as setting a concerning precedent, with potential ramifications for the November elections.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell stressed the constitutional duty to hold a trial, though the likelihood of reaching the two-thirds majority needed to remove Mayorkas remained slim.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security emphasized that House Republicans lacked sufficient evidence to warrant impeachment.
Meanwhile, amidst the Senate proceedings, Mayorkas advocated for the president’s fiscal year 2025 budget on Capitol Hill.
White House spokesperson Ian Sams commended the Senate’s decision, as the chamber navigated through various votes and procedural motions during the impeachment proceedings.
