Mayorkas Impeached, First Cabinet Official in Nearly 150 Years
Resigned Belknap Preceded Mayorkas in 1876
Bipartisan House Vote Reflects Partisan Divide
WASHINGTON (CBS News) - The House voted Tuesday to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, making him the first Cabinet official to face such a measure in nearly 150 years. The vote was largely along party lines, with Republicans voting in favor of impeachment and Democrats opposed.
The impeachment resolution accuses Mayorkas of "failing to secure the border," a charge that has been leveled at him repeatedly by Republicans.
Mayorkas, a Cuban immigrant who grew up in California, is the first Latino to serve as Homeland Security Secretary. He was confirmed by the Senate in April 2021.
The last Cabinet official to be impeached was William Belknap, the Secretary of War, who resigned just minutes before a scheduled impeachment vote in 1876.
The impeachment of Mayorkas is a reflection of the deep partisan divide in Congress. Republicans have accused Mayorkas of mishandling the border crisis, while Democrats have defended him, saying he is doing his best to manage a difficult situation.
The impeachment resolution now goes to the Senate, where a trial will be held to determine whether to remove Mayorkas from office. It is unlikely that the Senate will vote to convict Mayorkas, as Democrats hold a majority in the upper chamber.
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