Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has been silent regarding how the Senate will handle Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’s impeachment trial. However, multiple media outlets have reported that Democrats intend to swiftly dismiss the charges before any trial begins.
Democrats have various options available to expedite the process, such as tabling or dismissing the charges, which only require a simple majority.
However, as reported by the Washington Examiner, Senate Republicans successfully urged House Speaker Mike Johnson to delay the delivery of the articles of impeachment to the Senate until Monday. This delay was aimed at pressuring Democrats to proceed with a trial.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (Credits: The Hill)
Senator Debbie Stabenow, the chamber’s third-ranking Democrat, emphasized that the Senate majority would treat Mayorkas’ impeachment “with the seriousness it deserves,” as per Politico. She labeled the impeachment as purely political and asserted that Democrats would work with Republicans to dispose of it quickly and appropriately.
Mayorkas becomes the 22nd government official and second Cabinet member to be impeached, with the House approving two articles of impeachment related to his handling of the southern border crisis.
Historically, the Senate has conducted a trial for all impeachments except one. In 1873, U.S. District Court Judge Mark Delahay, appointed by Abraham Lincoln, resigned before facing impeachment charges, resulting in no trial.
Alejandro Mayorkas (Credits: AP News)
Senator John Kennedy highlighted the unprecedented nature of tabling or dismissing impeachment charges, emphasizing that such actions have never occurred in the Senate’s history.
Senator Tommy Tuberville has called for a “full and fair” impeachment trial, criticizing Mayorkas for failing to secure the border during his tenure. Tuberville expressed concern that Senate Democrats might attempt to table the articles of impeachment, which he views as disregarding the crisis at the border.
The upcoming proceedings underscore the partisan divide over immigration policy and border security, with Republicans advocating for accountability while Democrats seek to swiftly dismiss the charges.
