On Tuesday, the GOP-led House transmitted impeachment charges against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his handling of the border crisis to the Democrat-controlled Senate.
The House managers tasked with prosecuting the case were introduced in the Senate chamber and Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green (R-TN), who is the lead manager, read aloud the text of the impeachment resolution.
WATCH: House impeachment managers deliver articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the U.S. Senate. pic.twitter.com/dNCsJ3Qgeu
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Although a trial is slated to begin on Wednesday with senators sworn in as jurors, there is doubt that there will be a full trial to conclude the process that Democrats have long called a “political stunt.”
Senate President Pro Tempore Patty Murray (D-WA) was selected to preside over the trial, but Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has so far not said whether there will be an effort to table or dismiss the impeachment charges.
Last week, after the House delayed the delivery of the articles, Schumer said the Senate is “ready to go whenever the House is. We want to address this issue as expeditiously as possible.” The top Democrat also said impeachment “should never be used to settle policy disagreements. That sets an awful precedent.”
House Republicans are “demanding” a full trial, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said in a post to X on Tuesday, adding that Mayorkas is the “worst” Cabinet secretary in U.S. history.
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Forty-three GOP senators signed onto a letter sent to Schumer that called on the Senate to “uphold its constitutional responsibility to properly adjudicate” the impeachment articles. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said he would “strenuously oppose any effort” to table the charges.
After months of investigation, the House narrowly passed two impeachment articles in February. They accuse Mayorkas of “willfully and systemically” refusing to comply with federal immigration laws and allege he “breached the public trust” with false statements and obstructing lawful oversight of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Mayorkas has pushed back against what he called “false accusations” levied against him. A DHS spokesperson reacted to the successful House impeachment vote by saying, “House Republicans will be remembered by history for trampling on the Constitution for political gain rather than working to solve the serious challenges at our border.”
If a full trial does get held, a two-thirds vote will be required for a conviction, which would lead to removal from office. That appears unlikely, however, particularly given not every Republican senator appears to favor the impeachment effort.
The Senate currently has 49 Republicans, 48 Democrats, and three independents who caucus with the Democrats.
One GOP defector could be Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), who told Axios he does not “believe there’s a constitutional standard met.” Romney also said he would be “open” to tabling the impeachment articles if there is at least some debate on them.
