House Impeaches Mayorkas, Trial to Begin Today
Senate to Hold Trial Over Impeachment Articles; White House Calls Impeachment a "Stunt"
Impeachment Trial to Commence at 1 p.m. EST
The House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, sending two articles of impeachment to the Senate. The impeachment trial is set to begin today at 1 p.m. EST, and all 100 senators will be sworn in as jurors.
Mayorkas faces two articles of impeachment for allegedly failing to secure the U.S.-Mexico border and for "willful and knowing neglect" of his duties. The White House has denounced the impeachment as an "unconstitutional impeachment stunt."
In a statement, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said, "This impeachment is nothing more than a partisan attack on a dedicated public servant. Secretary Mayorkas has served our country with honor and distinction, and we are confident that the Senate will reject this baseless impeachment."
Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said that the impeachment is "a serious matter" and that the Senate should take it seriously. "The House has impeached a cabinet member for the first time in over a century, and it is important that the Senate consider the evidence and make a fair judgment," McCarthy said.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) slammed the House vote, calling it "a partisan stunt" that will "distract from the important work of addressing the challenges facing our country." Schumer said that he will not allow the Senate to be "used as a political pawn" by the House.
The impeachment trial is expected to last several weeks. The Senate will hear from witnesses and consider evidence before voting on whether to convict or acquit Mayorkas.
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