Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday moved to dismiss the impeachment of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who Republicans have accused of refusing to enforce immigration law.
Speaking on the Senate floor, Schumer said the first article of impeachment, which accuses Mayorkas of acts that “repeatedly violated laws enacted by Congress regarding immigration,” was unconstitutional because the alleged conduct did not meet the standards for a “high crime or misdemeanor.”
Republicans quickly objected to Schumer, with Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., calling the move “unprecedented” and arguing that Mayorkas’ impeachment should get a full trial in the Senate.
The Republican-led House of Representatives impeached Mayorkas by a narrow vote in February.
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