The Senate voted Wednesday to declare both articles of impeachmentagainst Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas "unconstitutional," therefore concluding the trial.
Shortly after Senate President Pro-Tem Sen. Patty Murray swore in the senators as jurors, the Senate swiftly proceeded to vote on the impeachment articles. In a 51-48 decision, the Senate deemed the first article, "Willful and Systemic Refusal to Comply with the Law," as unconstitutional. Subsequently, with a vote of 51-49, the Senate declared the second article, "Breach of Public Trust," unconstitutional as well.
Following both votes, the Senate continued to vote along party lines (51-49) to adjourn the impeachment trial despite Republican objections.
"Today’s decision by the Senate to reject House Republicans’ baseless attacks on Secretary Mayorkas proves definitively that there was no evidence or Constitutional grounds to justify impeachment," said DHS spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg in a statement following the votes. "It’s time for Congressional Republicans to support the Department’s vital mission instead of wasting time playing political games and standing in the way of commonsense, bipartisan border reforms.”
In February, the House of Representatives voted along party lines to impeach Mayorkas, accusing him of failing to comply with federal immigration laws and secure the border, as House Republicans sought to hold him accountable for the influx of migrants at the southern border.
The articles of impeachment were delivered to the Senate on Tuesday, effectively starting the trial.
But just like expected, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer moved to dismiss this trial very swiftly.
Given the Democrats' majority in the U.S. Senate and the requirement of 67 senators to vote for conviction in an impeachment trial, it's no surprise that Mayorkas was not found guilty or removed from office.
In a joint statement with other Republican party leaders, House Speaker Mike Johnson scolded Senate Democrats or not holding a full trial.
"The American people will hold Senate Democrats accountable for this shameful display," the statement says.
SEE MORE: House GOP walks articles of impeachment against Mayorkas to Senate
Trending stories at Scrippsnews.com
