Senate Kills Mayorkas’ Impeachment Effort Without a Trial
The U.S. Senate voted along party lines to dismiss two articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Wednesday, ending the proceedings before arguments began and bringing the first impeachment of a sitting cabinet secretary to an ignominious close.
The vote against the first article, which charged Mayorkas with “willful and systemic refusal to comply” with immigration law, was 51-48, with Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voting “present.” For the second article, concerning “breach of trust,” Murkowski joined her colleagues, bringing the final tally to 51-49.
It marks the first time in 225 years that the Senate immediately dismissed impeachment charges approved by the house, rather than holding a full floor trial or referring the issue to a special committee, according to The Hill.