Sen. McConnell says he ‘expects’ Democrats to kill Mayorkas impeachment trial

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Wednesday that he “expects” Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to file the motion next week to hold an impeachment trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

“Schumer may file a motion to dismiss or remit. I hope he will,” said the Republican leader. told the Kentucky Lantern during a press conference in Shelbyville.

“And the Democrats have the majority, so it may not last very long.” But my preference would be to have a trial. But I think the majority will probably prevent that.”

Schumer (D-N.Y.) did not disclose the potential date for the trial of President Biden’s embattled border control czar, pledging only to have jurors sworn in once the two articles of impeachment are completed. were pronounced on April 10.

After being sworn in, any U.S. senator acting as a juror could move to table or reject the articles, which requires a simple majority of the Democratic-controlled upper chamber to approve.

Schumer also dismissed the impeachment campaign against Mayorkas, calling it “a new low for House Republicans” and asserted that “the only reason for this impeachment is for President Johnson to further appease Donald Trump.”

Johnson (R-La.) urged the Democratic leader to hold a “public trial” of Mayorkas to hear the case for removing the Cabinet official for failing to enforce immigration law and lying to the Congress on the “security” of the American border.

“Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas violated the public trust and willfully refused to follow federal immigration laws,” Johnson said in a statement. “He deserves to be impeached and the American people are demanding accountability for those responsible for the border crisis.” »

“If he cares about the Constitution and ending the devastation caused by Biden’s border disaster, Senator Schumer will quickly schedule a full public trial and hear the arguments made by our impeachment managers,” a- he added.

The last Cabinet official to be impeached was Secretary of War William Belknap, who resigned from office in 1876 before the House voted on five articles relating to his corruption. He was acquitted a few months later by the Senate.

The Department of Homeland Security rejected the impeachment vote — which failed on the first try in the House — calling it a “farce” and a “distraction from other vital national security priorities.”

After a second vote to impeach Mayorkas, Biden, 81, called the move a “political stunt” and attacked House Republicans for rejecting a bipartisan Senate border bill earlier this year.