Articles of impeachment have been filed against Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, making good on months of Republican threats with the party now in control of the House of Representatives.
The impeachment resolution filed by Rep. Pat Fallon (R-TX) last week became official Monday after being delayed by the days-long House Speaker election.
Fallon’s office provided American Military News with the full text of the three articles of impeachment. They blame Mayorkas for the historic flows of migrants over the U.S.-Mexico border, accuse him of lying about the situation to Congress, and allege that he “knowingly slandered” Border Patrol agents.
The resolution has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee, according to Congress.gov. If the House votes for Mayorkas’ impeachment, he will have to be convicted by the Democratic-led Senate to be removed from office.
In a written statement, Fallon said “it is unfortunate that we have gotten to this point, but it is necessary.”
“Secretary Mayorkas has proven time and time again that he is unfit to lead the Department of Homeland Security,” Fallon stated. “His willful actions erode our immigration system, undermine border patrol morale, and imperil American national security. He must be removed from office.”
Mayorkas was appointed by President Joe Biden in 2021 to oversee the border as head of DHS. The Biden years have seen a record-breaking surge in migrants crossing the southern border that has become a primary line of attack for Republicans.
In November, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), who is now Speaker of the House, threatened Mayorkas with an impeachment inquiry once the GOP took the House. But on Sunday, Mayorkas downplayed the potential for Republican attacks in the new Congress, saying on ABC’s “This Week,” “I’ve got a lot of work to do. I’m proud to do it,” Axios reported.
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) filed articles of impeachment against Mayorkas in 2021 that died in the House Judiciary Committee. In May, Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) filed a resolution calling for Mayorkas’ “immediate resignation” that also died in a subcommittee.
The border is just one part of Mayorkas’ job as DHS secretary. Chris Magnus, who directly oversaw the border as commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, resigned in November under pressure from Mayorkas.
