WASHINGTON — Republicans attacked Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas during a hearing Wednesday over what they claim is a dereliction of duty as border crossings have reached record highs.
"I don't hold any personal animosity towards Secretary Mayorkas. But I sure as hell don't want to see him continue as Secretary of Homeland Security. Not after the pain and turmoil and chaos his policies have inflicted upon the American people," said Rep Mark Green (R-Tennessee).
"On this committee, we've carried out our investigation of Secretary Mayorkas. I sit here today to tell you we're going to impeach him. He's going to be impeached. And he should be," said Rep Clay Higgins (R-Louisiana).
But committee Democrats blasted the exercise as meritless.
"And Republicans recently rolled out their impeachment proceedings against the Secretary like a pre-planned predetermined political stunt it is. This is not a legitimate impeachment," said Rep Bennie Thompson (D-Mississippi).
"And there is nothing that you have put forward today that evidences in any way an impeachable offense by Secretary Mayorkas," said Rep Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas).
If the committee and the full House eventually do approve articles of impeachment against Mayorkas, he's not expected to be removed by the Democrat-controlled Senate.
Only one cabinet official has ever been impeached.
William Belknap — President Ulysses Grant's secretary of war in 1876 — faced bribery allegations.
He was acquitted by the Senate.