While Senate Democrats are reportedly seeking to expedite the impeachment process of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Senator John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, advocated for a full trial during an interview on “The Record With Greta Van Susteren.”
“We believe the Senate ought to examine the evidence, consider the arguments presented by the House, and reach a conclusion on whether or not to convict him,” Thune, who serves as the Senate Minority Whip, expressed. “This administration’s handling of the border over the past three years has been a monumental failure, reaching the level of high crimes and misdemeanors according to the House, and it’s crucial that the Senate thoroughly review the case.”
Senate Republicans reportedly convinced House Speaker Mike Johnson to delay delivering the articles of impeachment to the Senate until Monday, as reported by the Washington Examiner on Tuesday. Initially scheduled for Wednesday, this delay was intended to provide additional time to pressure Democrats into conducting a trial.
Thune emphasized, “The Senate needs sufficient time to deliberate and debate the articles of impeachment brought forth by the House. It’s evident that Chuck Schumer is inclined to swiftly dismiss the case, but we believe that the issue at hand – the crisis at the southern border – is a matter of national security.”
“The situation at the southern border, which forms the basis of the articles of impeachment, is an utter disaster and a direct consequence of the policies of President Joe Biden and Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas,” Thune added. “Both individuals have played a significant role in the dramatic surge of illegal border crossings.”
Mayorkas becomes the 22nd government official and the second Cabinet member to face impeachment. The House passed two articles of impeachment concerning Mayorkas’s handling of the southern border crisis: willful and systematic failure to adhere to the law, and breach of public trust. Democrats in the Senate can move to either table or dismiss the charges with a simple majority vote.
Historically, the Senate has conducted trials in nearly all cases of impeachment. However, in 1873, U.S. District Court Judge Mark Delahay of Kansas, appointed by Abraham Lincoln, faced impeachment charges related to intoxication on the bench. Delahay resigned before the House could formalize articles of impeachment, thus avoiding a trial.
