What Happened:

  • The House of Representatives has impeached Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and the articles of impeachment have been transferred to the Senate for trial.

  • The House narrowly cleared the Mayorkas impeachment articles for “high crimes and misdemeanors” in a 214-213 vote held in February.

  • Mayorkas has become only the second Cabinet secretary in history to be impeached by the House.

What is Conservative Media Saying:

  • The impeachment charges stem from Mayorkas’ and the Biden administration’s handling of the border crisis, which has led to a record number of illegal border crossings and the influx of terrorists, drug traffickers, and other criminals into the country. [Sources: The American Conservative, Fox News, OANN]

  • Mayorkas has failed to secure the border, enforce immigration laws, and address the national security threats posed by the border crisis, including the flow of fentanyl and the release of a known terrorist on bond. [Sources: The American Conservative, Fox News, OANN]

What is Center Media Saying:

  • Senate Democrats could end the impeachment trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas before arguments even begin, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is expected to quickly dismiss the charges. [Source: AP News]

  • Immigration law experts have said Mayorkas has not violated any statute in carrying out the Biden administration’s immigration policies, and conservative scholars have accused the House of trying to boot the secretary over policy differences. [Source: The Hill]

  • Congress has not impeached a member of the cabinet since the 1870s, when the secretary of War was accused of taking kickbacks. [Source: The Hill]

What is Liberal Media Saying:

  • The Democratic-controlled Senate is expected to quickly dismiss the charges without a trial or conduct a speedy trial that ends without a conviction. [CNN, The Washington Post, NBC News, NPR, The Guardian]

  • Multiple constitutional experts have said the evidence Republicans have put forward does not reach the high bar set by the US Constitution of high crimes and misdemeanors. [CNN, The Guardian]

  • Democrats have argued that the impeachment proceedings have been politically motivated and meritless. [CNN, NBC News]

  • Several conservatives have argued against impeaching Mayorkas, calling it “the worst, dumbest exercise and use of time.” [NBC News]

  • House Republicans bypassed skepticism within their own ranks and unified Democratic opposition to approve the articles of impeachment against Mayorkas, but some Senate Republicans are on the record saying they aren’t sure there is a case for impeachment. [The Guardian, NPR]

Media Sources: