Categories: Politics

Johnson to formally hand Mayorkas impeachment articles to Senate, urges trial ‘expeditiously’

The Senate is going to receive articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas next month, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., on Thursday.

Johnson sent a letter to Schumer informing him that House impeachment managers will send the impeachment articles to his chamber on April 10, and urged him to hold a trial “expeditiously.”

“As Speaker and impeachment managers of the U.S. House of Representatives, we write to inform you that we will present to you upon the Senate’s return, on April 10, 2024, the duly passed articles of impeachment regarding Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. We urge you to schedule a trial of the matter expeditiously,” Johnson wrote alongside the 11 Republicans selected as impeachment managers.

BIDEN, TEXAS FEUD OVER ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION LAW AS MIGRANTS RUSH BORDER: WHAT TO KNOW 

Speaker Mike Johnson said he’s having impeachment articles against Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas sent to the Senate on April 10

The House impeached Mayorkas last month on two counts, accusing him of failing to comply with and enforce existing law, along with a breach of public trust.

“Throughout his tenure, he has repeatedly lied to Congress and the American people about the scope of the crisis and his role in it. His unlawful actions are responsible for the historic crisis that has devastated communities throughout our country, from the smallest border town in Texas to New York City,” Johnson wrote. “The constitutional grounds for Secretary Mayorkas’ conviction and removal from office are well-founded, and the historical record is clear.”

Once the articles are formally handed off, the Senate must act on them swiftly. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumerhas criticized the House GOP’s impeachment bid. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Schumer has not said what he would do, but his public criticism of the impeachment effort suggests it’s very possible that he’ll move to dismiss the trial. A simple 51-vote majority would be needed for that to occur.

Senate Republicans, on the other hand, have called for Schumer to go through with the proceedings – though it’s highly unlikely it will result in a conviction.

“The Senate should conduct an impeachment trial of Secretary Mayorkas and examine the full extent of this crisis in front of the American people,” Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., said publicly earlier this month.

All but three House Republicans voted to impeach Mayorkas last month over his handling of the U.S. southern border. It was the first time since 1876 that a cabinet secretary had been impeached. 

HOW EAGLE PASS BECAME THE CENTERPIECE OF ABBOTT’S EFFORTS TO SECURE THE BORDER 

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

House GOP leaders delayed sending the articles over to the Senate for several weeks, however, amid intense negotiations over how to fund the government for the remainder of fiscal year 2024.

Johnson confronted questions about the delay during the House GOP’s annual retreat earlier this month, telling reporters, “The reason for it is because we’re in the middle of funding the government in the appropriations process, and the way the procedure works is, once the articles of impeachment are transmitted to the Senate, they have a short window within which to process them. So we didn’t want to interrupt the Senate and their floor time and their deliberation on appropriations, because we would risk shutting the government down.”

Share

Recent Posts

A look inside the most expensive house in the world — the home of the UK’s monarch

close Video Princess Kate returns to royal duties Fox News’ Alex Hogan reports on Princess…

2 hours ago

From CDC to labor secretary: See Trump’s top picks for Cabinet roles

A clearer picture emerged of who will serve in the Cabinet of America's 47th President,…

3 hours ago

Trump picks Dr. Marty Makary as Food and Drug Administration commissioner

President-elect Trump on Friday announced he is nominating Johns Hopkins School of Medicine professor Dr. Marty…

3 hours ago

Trump picks Scott Turner as secretary of Department of Housing and Urban Development

President-elect Trump nominated Scott Turner as the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban…

5 hours ago

Trump brings back former aide Sebastian Gorka, ex-State Department official Alex Wong to serve in admin

President-elect Trump on Friday announced that former State Department official Alex Wong will be appointed assistant to…

5 hours ago

Trump picks Dr. Janette Nesheiwat as nation’s next surgeon general

President-elect Trump has nominated Dr. Janette Nesheiwat as surgeon general. In a statement on Friday…

5 hours ago