President Mike Johnson’s office announced Tuesday that it would delay the transmission of two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, pushing back the start of the process until next week.
Johnson had said he would send the articles of impeachment to the Senate on Wednesday, which would immediately trigger the Senate’s next actions on Thursday. A full-scale trial in the Senate is unlikely, senators and leadership aides say — despite what many House Republicans want.
“To ensure that the Senate has sufficient time to carry out its constitutional duty, the House will transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate next week,” Taylor Haulsee, Johnson’s spokesperson, said in a statement. “There is no reason for the Senate to abdicate its responsibility to hold an impeachment trial.”
The House voted to impeach Mayorkas on February 13 by a vote of 214 to 213, due to what Republicans said was his failure to enforce border laws amid a “crisis” of high illegal immigration. , allegations that the secretary denied as “baseless.”
DHS has criticized the charging efforts.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testifies during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, November 8, 2023.
Alex Brandon/AP, FILE
“Without a shred of evidence or legitimate constitutional basis, and despite bipartisan opposition, House Republicans have falsely defamed a dedicated public servant who spent more than 20 years enforcing our laws and serving our country,” the Gate said -DHS spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg. “Secretary Mayorkas and the Department of Homeland Security will continue to work every day to keep Americans safe.”
Delaying the transmission of the articles of impeachment for Mayorkas could potentially help Senate Republicans avoid a attendance problem if the impeachment debate extends into Thursday evening. Senate Republicans will want to be out in force to vote against dismissing the trial in the event that a single Democrat defaults and decides to vote to advance one.
Senator John Thune speaks during a press conference following the weekly Senate Republican Caucus luncheons on Capitol Hill, March 20, 2024.
Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/Reuters
“If we want to exactly, you know, have the opportunity in the Senate to have a more in-depth discussion about this when the articles come out, there are times where that could probably happen better than having it come back tomorrow night and then try to resolve this issue on Thursday afternoon,” Senate Republican Whip John Thune said this afternoon.
Democrats control 51 seats in the Senate, so if they stay united, they can reject a trial without any GOP support if they want.
This is a developing story. Please check again for updates.
ABC News
