Speaker Johnson Urges Senate Leader Schumer to Act: Calls for Impeachment of Alejandro Mayorkas

The House of Representatives passed an impeachment motion against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas earlier this year over the crisis on the U.S.-Mexico border. The articles of impeachment, which were largely passed along partisan lines by the House of Representatives, hold DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas responsible for the massive inflow of illegal immigrants to the U.S. During President Joe Biden’s tenure.

Now that the text of a message from House Speaker Mike Johnson addressed to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is public, Johnson has informed Schumer of when the Articles of Impeachment are expected to be delivered.

Johnson writes in the letter: “As Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and Managers of Impeachment, we write to inform you that upon the return of the Senate on April 10, 2020, we will present the articles of impeachment duly passed regarding the Department of Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas. We urge you to schedule a trial as soon as possible.”

He concludes, “We urge you to fulfill the constitutional obligation of holding this trial.” The American people want a safe border, an end to this crisis, and accountability for the responsible. Articles of impeachment would violate our constitutional order if they were presented without hearing any arguments or reviewing any evidence. This would be an insult to the American public whom we serve.

Below you can read the complete text of Johnson’s email to Schumer.

The Biden administration has strongly reacted to efforts to impeach DHS chief.

In a statement posted on the White House’s website, the president stated that “History won’t look kindly upon House Republicans who committed a blatant act unconstitutional of partisanship by targeting an honorable public service to play small political games.” From his time as a U.S. attorney in the Justice Department to his service as the Deputy Secretary, and now as Secretary of Homeland Security he has faithfully upheld the rule of law and demonstrated a commitment to the values which make our nation great.

Republicans, however, have blamed Mayorkas’s open border, which has resulted in millions of illegal crossings, for the disastrous situation. Republicans have claimed that Biden’s administration is in a position to stop the flow of illegal immigrants through executive authority, but they have refused to do so.

The Senate announced a deal to fix the problem, but it was soon scuttled after even its Republican co-sponsors withdrew their support over a conservative uprising.

Full Letter

Dear Majority Leader Schumer

We, as the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and the impeachment managers, write to let you know that, upon the return of the Senate on April 10, 2020, we will be presenting to you the articles of impeachment duly passed regarding Department of Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas. We urge you to schedule a trial as soon as possible.

The House of Representatives voted on February 13, 2024, to impeach Mayorkas. This was for high crimes and misdemeanors including his willful, systemic refusal to obey the law, and his breach of public trust. Both charges are supported by clear, comprehensive, and compelling evidence. The Senate must act quickly to uphold the House’s decision.

The American people and I have concluded that this methodical approach is the best way to proceed.

The actions of Secretary Mayorkas warranted his impeachment. He refused to follow the immigration laws that Congress passed. He directed DHS employees, via a series of memoranda to violate U.S. Immigration laws. The Secretary of Homeland Security is therefore responsible for the release of millions of illegal aliens in the interior, and the creation of unlawful mass-parole programs. He has lied repeatedly to Congress and Americans about the extent of the crisis, and his part in it. His illegal actions are to blame for the historic crisis that has devastated our communities, from the smallest town on the Texas border up to New York City.

Secretary Mayorkas was convicted and removed from office for constitutional reasons, which are clear in history. The Framers gave Congress this power in scenarios where the executive branch officials who are responsible for carrying out the laws passed by Congress flout those laws and substitute their judgment instead.

We urge you to honor your constitutional duty to hold this court trial. The American people want a safe border, an end to this crisis, and accountability for the responsible parties. Articles of impeachment would violate our constitutional order, and be an insult to the American public whom we serve.