‘Is Mayorkas to Blame for the Border Crisis’ Rep. Greene Asks

Paresh Jadhav

9 months ago

Republicans at Wednesday’s hearing on the border crisis attacked Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for not responding quickly enough to address it and for not fulfilling his duties quickly enough to address it quickly, calling for his impeachment.

At this hearing, a bipartisan group of senators are in daily negotiations with Mayorkas over an immigration package.

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Execution or Biden’s Policy

GOP members have for months accused Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas of dereliction of duty and of disparaging border patrol agents who can be seen acting aggressively towards migrants who attempt to illegally cross into America through certain points along its border with Mexico.

Greene took her criticisms a step further on Wednesday by offering a resolution calling for his impeachment based on “brazen violations of House rules and standards of conduct.”

Democrats were quick to respond. They accused Greene of throwing red meat to her Republican base and keeping donors interested in giving money for Greene, all the while aware of their razor-thin majority ebbing away, thinking threatening impeachment will keep control of the House in their grasp.

Greene’s Line of Questioning

Greene was promptly seated in the homeland security panel upon her swearing-in in January 2021, and immediately began questioning witnesses. One of her first inquiries targeted Republicans directly by asking whether Mayorkas should be impeached – they responded quickly in affirmation of this demand.

Conservatism has increased its calls to dismiss Biden’s immigration chief since that time, prompting four Republican legislators from Arizona, Texas and Louisiana – Andy Biggs from Arizona, Pat Fallon from Texas, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Clay Higgins both hailing from Louisiana – to file articles of impeachment against him.

The White House has advocated for Congress to pass an “earned roadmap” to citizenship for migrants while simultaneously seeking additional resources and system reforms for federal agencies impacted by record numbers of people fleeing poverty, violence and COVID-19 pandemic in their home countries. But Democrats accuse Republicans of exploiting the border crisis for electoral advantage while failing to address urgent requests by immigration agencies for additional funds or reforms. They accuse them of hypocrisy when raising alarm about an overwhelmed border system but neglecting to meet urgent requests by immigration agencies.

Greene’s Resolution

Republican lawmakers are intensifying calls to impeach DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over her handling of the immigration crisis. Many conservative leaders have already signaled support for this effort, which showcases their desire to broaden what constitutes impeachable offenses by widening definitions for high crimes and misdemeanors beyond traditional boundaries.

Greene submitted her resolution as a “privileged” motion Thursday, prompting a vote next week. In it, Greene accused Tlaib of engaging in antisemitic activity, sympathizing with terrorist organizations and leading an insurrection at the US Capitol Complex for her comments to an organization advocating a ceasefire in Israel-Hamas conflict outside a House office building last week.

Tlaib strongly opposed the resolution that accuses her of propagating antisemitic conspiracy theories and making questionable comments regarding the Holocaust. According to her, Republicans are trying to divert attention away from border security by offering political red meat for their base to maintain campaign donations and avoid real issues like border control.

Greene’s Response

Resolution 518 accuses Mayorkas of breaking his oath to defend and secure the Constitution and laws of the United States by permitting migrants to claim asylum even though they knew it violated federal law, without providing evidence. Greene also alleges him of playing an integral role in ending Title 42 border restrictions that prevented migrants from seeking asylum or refugee status.

DHS spokesperson reported that their department has been focused on protecting Americans and securing our borders, noting how the House majority “has wasted months trying to score political points with baseless attacks.

Democrats condemned this process, accusing Republicans of throwing political red meat to their base in hopes of maintaining their razor-thin majority in 2024. Many noted the allegations of oath-breaking contained within Greene’s resolution were without evidence to back them up.