'Performative garbage': House GOP slammed as impeachment articles against Alejandro Mayorkas sent to Senate

WASHINGTON, DC: House Republicans marched their impeachment articles against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate on Tuesday, April 16, thrusting the fate of the embattled border chief into the hands of the upper chamber.

The procession, led by Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green of Tennessee, marked a historic moment, making Mayorkas the first Cabinet secretary in nearly 150 years to face impeachment.

Border crisis grievances

The primary grievance against Mayorkas stems from his handling of the southern border crisis, a central focus of Republican criticism.

The articles accuse him of facilitating the crisis and willfully disregarding federal immigration laws, charges vehemently reiterated by House Republicans during the impeachment process.

"Mayorkas' willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law has had a calamitous consequence for the people of the United States," remarked Chairman Green on the Senate floor after delivering the articles.

"The immigration court backlog has more than doubled. The exploding backlog is destroying the courts' ability to administer justice and provide appropriate relief in a timeframe that does not run into years or even decades."

The groundwork for Mayorkas' impeachment was laid by the Republican-led House Homeland Security Committee, which launched an extensive investigation into his handling of border security issues dating back to the previous summer.

This culminated in a five-part report released between July and December of the previous year, highlighting alleged breaches of public trust and non-compliance with federal immigration laws.

After months of scrutiny, Chairman Green introduced an impeachment resolution in January, citing two key charges against Mayorkas: refusal to comply with federal immigration laws during a surge of migrants and misleading Congress about the security of the US-Mexico border.

The resolution faced a tumultuous journey through the House, narrowly passing after a second vote on February 13.

"Secretary Mayorkas’ impeachment—the first of a sitting Cabinet official in U.S. history—indicates how seriously the House takes his refusal to comply with the law and his breach of the public trust," Green told the Daily Mail.

"This historic vote followed a thorough, fair, comprehensive, and nearly year-long investigation conducted by the House Committee on Homeland Security into Secretary Mayorkas and his handling of the unprecedented border crisis."

"The Framers of our Constitution gave Congress this grave authority when public officials choose to ignore the law and inflict grave harm on our constitutional order. The Democrat-led Senate must hold the trial, render a verdict, and hold Secretary Mayorkas accountable," Green added.

The Senate's response to the impeachment articles remains uncertain. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has hinted at a swift resolution but has yet to disclose specific plans, prompting speculation about the potential outcomes of the trial.

Republicans, advocating for a full trial, argue it is the Senate's constitutional duty to address the charges against Mayorkas. However, with Democrats holding a slim majority, the path forward is murky, and Schumer's decision will likely shape the proceedings.

Social media backlash

House Republicans faced quite a backlash from critics on social media after walking over their impeachment articles against Mayorkas to the Senate.

"This is so incredibly embarrassing for them. Total performative garbage," one posted on X.

"Clowns pretending to be serious people," another fumed.

"That's the most work they have done in a year, walking!" someone else quipped.

"Senate Democrats should absolutely hold a trial. Decline to convict. And move on with more important business," another chimed in.

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