State lawmakers are moving forward with impeachment proceedings against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, accusing him of dereliction of duty in response to the ongoing immigration crisis.
The GOP-led House Homeland Security Committee announced plans Wednesday to hold a Jan. 10 hearing to assess Mayorkas’ “failed leadership and refusal to enforce” the immigration law.
“For nearly three years, the American people have demanded an end to the unprecedented crisis on the Southwest border, and they rightly demand that Congress hold those responsible accountable,” said committee Chairman Mark Green (R-Tenn.) in a statement.
“Our investigation makes it clear that this crisis finds its basis in the decision-making of Secretary Mayorkas and his refusal to enforce laws passed by Congress, and that his failure to fulfill his oath of office demands accountability.”
Republicans have long pushed to remove Mayorkas from office. In November, the House referred a resolution to impeach him, sponsored by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), to the panel, effectively blocked immediate action.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote legislation calling for the impeachment of Alejandro Mayrokas which was referred to the committee. Reuters
Eight Republicans joined 201 Democrats in sending the matter to the committee, on which Greene sits.
“Unfortunately, some Republicans joined every Democrat to block the resolution and save Mayorkas job,” Greene reflected in X Wednesday.
“I am happy to report that the first official impeachment hearing for Secretary Mayorkas will take place.”
The DHS secretary said he will work with Republicans and hopes Congress can still sign a deal on border security. Getty Images
Mayorkas vowed Wednesday morning to work with Congress and expressed hope that the impeachment effort would not derail Senate negotiations on an additional bill that would increase spending on border security and provide more aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
“This administration is focused on solving 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 has failed in a bipartisan vote,” DHS spokeswoman Mia Ehrenberg told The Post.
Rep. Mark Green chaired the panel appointed to hold the impeachment hearing against Alejandro Mayorkas. Getty Images DHS defended Alejandro Mayorkas, insisting there was no valid reason to charge him. Reuters
“There is no legitimate basis to impeach Secretary Mayorkas, as evidenced by the majority of members of the House of Representatives, and this extreme push for impeachment is a dangerous distraction from our critical national security priorities.”
The announcement came the same day a delegation of about 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 a record-breaking number of migrant encounters at the border, the presence of powerful cartels there, and alleged misuse of taxpayer money in awarding contracts to build new housing for immigrants rather than using existing ones. ICE detention facility.
During fiscal year 2023, which ended on September 30, more than 2.47 million encounters with immigrants were reported along the US-Mexico border, according to data from US Customs and Border Protection.
The Bidens returned to the WH after the St. Croix.
Reporter: “Are you going to do something about the southern border, Mr. Speaker? … Record the number of immigrants.”
Biden: “We have to do something. They should give me the money I need to protect the border.” pic.twitter.com/6ovjG8tQp7
— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) January 3, 2024
In addition to Mayorkas, Republicans have blamed 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 after returning from a vacation in St. Croix that Congress “should give me the money I need to protect the border.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
