House GOP sets Mayorkas impeachment hearing for next week, alleging ‘failed leadership’ in migrant crisis
House Republicans are inching forward with impeachment proceedings against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, accusing him of dereliction of duty in response to the ongoing migrant crisis.
The GOP-led House Committee on Homeland Security announced plans Wednesday to hold a hearing Jan. 10 to evaluate Mayorkas’ “failed leadership and his refusal to enforce” immigration law.
“For almost three years, the American people have demanded an end to the unprecedented crisis at the Southwest border, and they have also rightly called for Congress to hold accountable those responsible,” committee Chairman Mark Green (R-Tenn.) said in a statement.
“Our investigation made clear that this crisis finds its foundation in Secretary Mayorkas’ decision-making and refusal to enforce the laws passed by Congress, and that his failure to fulfill his oath of office demands accountability.”
Republicans have long been clamoring for Mayorkas’ removal from office. Back in November, the House referred a resolution to impeach him, sponsored by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), to the panel, effectively blocking immediate action.
Eight Republicans joined 201 Democrats in sending the matter to the committee, on which Greene sits.
“Unfortunately, some Republicans joined every single Democrat to block the resolution and save Mayorkas’s job,” Greene reflected on X Wednesday.
“I’m happy to report that the first official impeachment hearing for Secretary Mayorkas will be taking place.”
Mayorkas vowed Wednesday morning to cooperate with Congress and expressed hope that the impeachment effort would not derail Senate negotiations on a supplemental bill that would boost spending on border security as well as provide further aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
“This administration is focused on solutions to problems,” Mayorkas told MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” when asked about the hearing.
“The House majority is wasting valuable time and taxpayer dollars pursuing a baseless political exercise that has been rejected by members of both parties and already failed on a bipartisan vote,” DHS spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg told The Post.
“There is no valid basis to impeach Secretary Mayorkas, as senior members of the House majority have attested, and this extreme impeachment push is a harmful distraction from our critical national security priorities.”
The announcement was made the same day a delegation of around 60 House Republicans led by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) traveled to the southern border to gauge the situation on the ground.
Republicans harbor a long list of grievances against Mayorkas, including the record-breaking number of migrant encounters at the border, the powerful cartel presence there, and alleged abuse of taxpayer dollars in the awarding of contracts to build new housing for migrants rather than using existing ICE detention facilities.
During fiscal year 2023, which ended Sept. 30, more than 2.47 million encounters with migrants were reported along the US-Mexico border, according to data from US Customs and Border Protection.
In addition to Mayorkas, Republicans have pinned blame on President Biden for repealing many of his predecessor’s border policies.
The 81-year-old president responded Tuesday by telling reporters at the White House upon his return from vacation in St. Croix that Congress “ought to give me the money I need to protect the border.”
