In a significant move, the House of Representatives, led by the GOP, impeached Alejandro Mayorkas, the Department of Homeland Security Secretary, on Tuesday.
This makes him only the second cabinet secretary in history to face impeachment, with the last instance dating back to 1876.
The impeachment resolution gained approval with a narrow margin of 214-213 votes.
Notably, Representatives Ken Buck of Colorado, Tom McClintock of California, and Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin crossed party lines to join all Democrats in opposing the measure for a second time.
Despite the House’s decision, Mayorkas is unlikely to be removed from office, as a Senate trial would need a two-thirds majority to convict him.
This second attempt at impeachment follows an earlier failed effort on February 6th, where the vote ended in a tie. The tie was broken when Representative Blake Moore of Utah switched his vote, allowing Republicans to reintroduce the measure at a later date.
The impeachment push coincides with heightened debates over border security, especially in light of the 2024 presidential campaign.
It also follows former President Donald Trump’s move to thwart legislation aimed at bolstering border controls, citing concerns about aiding President Joe Biden’s re-election bid.
