{"id":2216164,"date":"2024-04-09T04:26:02","date_gmt":"2024-04-09T08:26:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mayorkas-impeachment-major-questions-remain-ahead-of-senate-vote-to-hold-trial\/"},"modified":"2024-04-09T04:28:53","modified_gmt":"2024-04-09T08:28:53","slug":"mayorkas-impeachment-major-questions-remain-ahead-of-senate-vote-to-hold-trial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mayorkas-impeachment-major-questions-remain-ahead-of-senate-vote-to-hold-trial\/","title":{"rendered":"Key Questions Linger Leading Up to Senate Vote on Mayorkas Impeachment Trial"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmayorkas-impeachment-major-questions-remain-ahead-of-senate-vote-to-hold-trial%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2216164&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>All eyes are on the Senate as lawmakers \u200bgear up \u2063to decide on\u200d a trial\u2062 for Alejandro Mayorkas, the\u2062 first \u200cDHS \u200bsecretary impeached by the House in 150\u2062 years. Questions linger \u200babout trial proceedings, \u2062possible party defections, and the impact on border policies. The\u200d potential \u200btrial\u200c outcome rests \u200con \u200dSenate dynamics and individual stances on \u200dthe \u2064matter. The Senate is at the\u200c center of attention \u2062as it\u2062 prepares \u200cto deliberate on the trial of Alejandro Mayorkas, marking the\u2062 first impeachment of a \u200dDHS secretary by the House in a century and a half. \u200dUncertainties loom regarding trial logistics, potential party divisions, \u200dand the repercussions for border-related initiatives. The final\u200b trial verdict hinges on \u2062Senate dynamics and the\u200d diverse viewpoints of its members.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>All eyes are on the Senate, where in just days, lawmakers will decide whether to proceed with a trial on the conviction and removal of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/alejandro-mayorkas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Alejandro Mayorkas<\/a> as President Joe Biden\u2019s top border official.<\/p>\n<p>Mayorkas was not only the first secretary at the Department of Homeland Security to be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/impeachment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>impeached<\/a> by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/house\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>House<\/a> on Feb. 15 but also the first Cabinet official to be indicted by the House in 150 years.<\/p>\n<p>Many questions remain in the lead-up to the Thursday proceedings, including if Democrats have the votes to potentially avoid going to trial altogether and if Republicans intend to rally together. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Will Mayorkas face a trial?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>House\u00a0managers in the case will deliver the two articles of\u00a0impeachment\u00a0to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mike-kelly-same-people-criticizing-trump-peddled-russia-collusion-hoax\/\" title=\"Mike Kelly: Same People Criticizing Trump Peddled Russia Collusion Hoax\">upper chamber<\/a> on Wednesday, nearly two months since the lower chamber <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/2853744\/alejandro-mayorkas-impeached\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">impeached<\/a> Mayorkas.<\/p>\n<p>Senate procedures dictate that the upper chamber meet the day after articles have been delivered. Senators would then be sworn in as jurors, and an impeachment trial would follow, with representatives serving as the prosecution.<\/p>\n<p>The Democratic-controlled Senate has floated dismissing the articles, which has not been done in more than 20 impeachment hearings in the body\u2019s history. It could also move to launch a trial committee and refer the articles to that panel.<\/p>\n<p>To move on tabling the trial, Democrats would only need a simple 51-vote majority. However, it would require that Democrats do not defect.<\/p>\n<p>Democrats hold 48 of the 100 Senate seats and Republicans 49 seats. The remaining three members are independents who caucus with the Democrats, which comes out to a 51-49 majority.<\/p>\n<p>Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/2857587\/patty-murray-spotlight-mayorkas-impeachment-trial\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>will preside<\/a> over any potential trial as Senate President Pro Tempore.<\/p>\n<p>Lora Ries, the former acting DHS deputy chief of staff who now oversees the conservative Heritage Foundation\u2019s border security and immigration center, said the Senate is obligated to consider what has been brought before them and ought to vote to have a trial.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSenators have a constitutional duty to hold a real impeachment trial, publicly examine the evidence, and act in the best interests of their constituents,\u201d said Ries. \u201cVoting to table or dismiss is a violation of that duty, an endorsement of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/white-house-releases-list-of-president-trumps-accomplishments-and-it-is-historic\/\" title=\"White House Releases List of President Trump\u2019s Accomplishments \u2013  And It Is Historic!\">border crisis<\/a> Mayorkas has created, and would further his cover-up.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Will any Democrats or Republicans break with their party?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It is possible but unlikely given that some Republicans who <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/2791046\/mayorkas-impeachment-push-cool-reception-senate-gop\/\" title>originally dissented<\/a> did so before the Feb. 15 House vote and may since have had a change of heart seeing as how the House got impeachment through.<\/p>\n<p>Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) told members in a \u201cDear Colleague\u201d letter sent last Friday that confirmed the Senate would receive the articles Wednesday when Mayorkas is also scheduled to appear on Capitol Hill for a <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CraigCaplan\/status\/1775592727226228927\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pair of congressional hearings<\/a> related to the DHS budget.<\/p>\n<p>To date, the exact number of Republicans who are opposed to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/heritage-action-puts-senate-republicans-on-notice-for-mayorkas-impeachment-trial\/\" title=\"Heritage Action warns Senate Republicans about the Mayorkas impeachment trial\">impeachment remains unclear<\/a>. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/igorbobic\/status\/1754929939659317287\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">said<\/a> in February that impeaching Mayorkas was \u201cthe dumbest exercise and use of time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In January, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) said he had not seen the constitutional standard met to move forward with removing Mayorkas from office.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFrom what I can tell, he\u2019s carrying out the policies of his boss, the president, for which you don\u2019t impeach the secretary,\u201d Romney said.<\/p>\n<p>Other centrist Republicans, including Sen. Susan Collins (ME) and Lisa Murkowski (AK), will also be votes to watch given that they have <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/senate\/4440320-gop-sen-murkowski-partisan-mayorkas-impeachment-a-detour-from-work\/\" title>not supported<\/a> impeachment.<\/p>\n<p>Moderate Democrats facing difficult reelections in November could lean more to the middle and vote to hold a trial in hopes of appealing to voters who are concerned about the border crisis. Republicans could also force <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/politics\/congress\/republicans-cant-force-mayorkas-impeachment-trial-try-make-painful-dem-rcna146828?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma&#038;taid=661461df96e393000163603e&#038;utm_campaign=trueanthem&#038;utm_medium=social&#038;utm_source=twitter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"tough votes\">tough votes<\/a> on pretrial points of order. <\/p>\n<p>The House impeached Mayorkas on charges of refusing to enforce the law and a breach of public trust. More than 8 million non-U.S. citizens have been encountered attempting to enter the United States in the three years since Biden took office, the highest figure in any three-year period.<\/p>\n<p>Republicans in the House are also upping the pressure on colleagues in the\u00a0Senate, and Heritage Action, the advocacy arm of Heritage Foundation, told the Washington Examiner on Monday that it will target any Senate Republican who is on the fence.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Will Mayorkas lose his job?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Mayorkas is very unlikely to be convicted in the Senate, which would require a two-thirds majority vote and therefore significant Democratic support.<\/p>\n<p>The White House has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/briefing-room\/press-briefings\/2024\/04\/08\/press-gaggle-by-press-secretary-karine-jean-pierre-en-route-madison-wisconsin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>backed Mayorkas<\/a> during the impeachment proceedings, and Biden\u2019s Cabinet secretary has shown no indication he\u2019s willing to step down.<\/p>\n<p>Mayorkas has fired back many times at lawmakers in public settings who have called for him to resign or asked if he would step down if impeached.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In a House Judiciary Committee hearing on July 26, 2023, Mayorkas <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/mayorkas-southern-border-migrants-impeach-immigration-biden-84c2fc507a255ab4b21a4d71af8724b8\" title>said<\/a> he would not resign and was \u201cincredibly proud of the work that is being done at the Department of Homeland Security.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>DHS did not respond to a request for comment on the secretary\u2019s plans for the near future though the department has stated in the past that he remains focused on his job.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Senate is under scrutiny as lawmakers prepare to vote on whether to proceed with a trial to convict and remove Alejandro Mayorkas as the top border official under President Joe Biden. Mayorkas, the first Department of Homeland Security secretary to be impeached by the House in February, faces a critical decision in the coming days<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2655,"featured_media":2216165,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/wex-s3.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/AP24038670341211-1024x591.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2216164","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/wex-s3.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/AP24038670341211-1024x591.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2216164","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2655"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2216164"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2216164\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2216165"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2216164"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2216164"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2216164"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}