The House Homeland Security Committee is currently in the process of finalizing articles of impeachment against Secretary Mayorkas, claiming that the border crisis remains out of control. Recent footage captured by cameras revealed human smugglers dropping off dozens of migrants at a California border site. These migrants proceeded to run through a gap in the wall in Southern California. While impeachment typically applies to presidents, the phrase 'high crimes and misdemeanors' can also pertain to members of the cabinet and federal judges. The last cabinet member to face impeachment proceedings was William Belknap, the Secretary of War, in 1876.
One Republican committee member, Michael McCaul, the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, stated that this impeachment may not gain traction in the Senate, but it aims to send a clear message of disapproval on behalf of the American people. Democrats, however, accuse Republicans of using Mayorkas' impeachment as a proxy for impeaching President Biden. Republicans believe that putting pressure on vulnerable Senate Democrats facing competitive reelections this fall could be an effective strategy.
