Speaker of the House of Representatives Johnson demands that the Senate stop the impeachment trial of Mayorka

By Casey Harper (Het Middenplein)

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., sent a letter Thursday to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-Calif., demanding he hold a full impeachment trial of Secretary of State Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas.

Jonhson sent the letter to Schumer saying the articles of impeachment for Mayorkas would be delivered to the Senate on April 10.

The letter comes after the House narrowly voted to impeach Mayorkas last month, citing the border crisis and the unprecedented illegal flow of foreigners and drugs into the US since President Joe Biden took office.

Johnson said Mayorkas was impeached “for high crimes and misdemeanors, including his willful and systematic failure to comply with the law and his violation of the public trust.”

“The evidence on both charges is clear, comprehensive and compelling, and the House’s solemn act to impeach the first sitting Cabinet official in American history requires timely Senate action,” he added.

In particular, Johnson and the House Republicans who voted to impeach Mayorkas argue that he has deliberately refused to enforce immigration laws currently on the books, and that he has created new migration programs that override those laws violate. Since Biden first took office, more than 11 million illegal immigrants have entered the U.S., overwhelming border communities and the major cities where they settle.

The border crisis also led to hundreds of people with known or suspected ties to terrorists being apprehended while attempting to enter the US illegally, and an unknown number successfully entering the country undetected. Fentanyl overdoses have also soared, with Mexican drug cartels exploiting the US’s more open borders.

“He refused to comply with the requirements of the immigration laws passed by Congress. In effect, through a series of memoranda, he directed DHS employees to violate U.S. immigration laws,” Johnson said in the letter. “As a result, the Secretary is responsible for releasing millions of illegal aliens domestically and creating unlawful mass parole programs. Throughout his tenure, he repeatedly lied to Congress and the American people about the magnitude of the crisis and his role in it. His unlawful actions are responsible for the historic crisis that has devastated communities across our country, from the smallest border town in Texas to New York City.”

In his letter, Johnson further pointed out that Congress has constitutional authority to impeach Mayorkas.

“We call on you to meet your constitutional obligation to hold this trial,” Johnson said. “The American people demand a secure border, an end to this crisis and accountability for those responsible. Filing articles of impeachment without ever hearing a single argument or reviewing evidence would be a violation of our constitutional order and an insult to the American people.”

Texas Governor Greg Abbott met with Johnson in Austin on Thursday to discuss the ongoing impact of the border crisis. According to a news release from the governor’s office, Abbott urged Johnson “to pass border security legislation that will help stop illegal crossings between ports of entry along the southern border.”

Abbott also shared details with the speaker about Operation Lone Star, Texas’ border security mission.

Syndicated with permission from Center Square.