The Senate is set to begin the impeachment trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Wednesday, but Democrats are expected to move quickly to dismiss or table the articles of impeachment. This would be a departure from previous Senate impeachment trials for former President Donald Trump, which lasted for weeks. The two articles of impeachment against Mayorkas accuse him of failing to enforce immigration laws and secure the border, as well as lying to Congress under oath.
Mayorkas is the first Cabinet secretary to be impeached in almost 150 years. House Republicans voted to impeach Mayorkas in February over his handling of the southern border by a narrow margin after failing to do so on their first try. Democrats have slammed the impeachment as a political stunt and argued that policy disagreements are not a justification for the rarely used constitutional impeachment of a Cabinet official.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is expected to call votes to dismiss the articles on Wednesday, but Republicans are seeking time for floor debate and votes on procedural motions. Some Democrats have expressed skepticism about moving too quickly, arguing that there should be some process in place before dismissing the articles.
Mayorkas has not commented publicly on the impeachment trial. He has focused on his work running the Department of Homeland Security and implementing President Biden's immigration policies.
The Senate will be sworn in as jurors midday on Wednesday, and both sides are working to come to an agreement on a process for the trial. Democrats could finish the Mayorkas trial as early as Wednesday evening, while Republicans want to drag out the process and make it politically painful for the other party.
The impeachment of Mayorkas comes at a time when border security is a contentious issue in Washington. Some Republicans have criticized Biden's immigration policies and called for tougher enforcement measures, while Democrats argue that the administration is focusing on humane and effective solutions to address the root causes of migration.
The Senate trial will be closely watched by both parties as they jockey for political advantage ahead of the midterm elections. The outcome could set a precedent for future impeachment trials and shape the debate over border security and immigration policy in Congress.