Senate: Quick dismissal of charges against Mayorgas

Twenty-four hours after receiving two impeachments from the House of Representatives against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the Senate rejected them Proceedings follow charge-sheeting in an ordinary impeachment procedure without even conducting a formal investigation.

The Democratic majority in the Senate justified this swift maneuver by saying the charges did not meet the constitutional requirement of a serious crime or misdemeanor, a view shared by most legal experts of all stripes. Criticized by Republicans for his handling of the southern border, Mayorkas has been accused of failing to enforce immigration laws and abusing the public trust.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “Letting the House approve this egregious abuse is a huge mistake and could set a dangerous precedent for the future.”

The Senate rejected the first impeachment by a vote of 49 to 51 (by Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski) and the second impeachment by a vote of 49 to 51.

Republican senators including Ted Cruz and Mitch McConnell were outraged — or so it seemed. provided The objections came after Schumer declined an offer to hold a time-bound debate on impeachment or create a commission on the matter. Democrats dropped their opposition.

“Ignoring the articles of impeachment is unprecedented in the history of the Senate — it's that simple,” Senator McConnell said before the impeachment vote was taken. After the House's second impeachment against Donald Trump, the minority leader seems to have forgotten that he himself participated in the impeachment attempt.

The Senate had the first impeachment against a member of the President's Cabinet since 1876.

(AP Photo)