US Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) is demanding Vice President Kamala Harris oversee Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas’ Senate impeachment trial.
Senator Scott claimed the US Constitution requires that, as the President of the senate, VP Harris is to chair the upcoming impeachment trial of Secretary Mayorkas.
Scott sent a letter to Harris, in which he stated she is the “appropriate constitutional presiding officer to oversee the impeachment trial of Secretary Mayorkas.”
“Our states and cities face an ongoing and widespread crisis due to the flood of illegal immigrants streaming across our southern and northern borders and moving freely within the interior of the homeland,” continued Scott’s letter.
Mayorkas was impeached by Republicans in the House of Representatives last week.
The migratory crisis plaguing the US’s southwest border prompted House Republicans’ approval of impeachment articles against Mayorkas.
Mayorkas’ impeachment is the first time a Cabinet secretary has been impeached since 1876, according to Fox News.
A 2/3rds majority in the Senate will be needed for Mayorkas to be removed from his post, which is an unlikely scenario given the chamber is controlled by Democrats.
Additionally, Republican infighting suggests Mayorkas’ impeachment may not even obtain full support from Senatorial Republicans.
Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) reportedly defined Mayorkas’ impeachment as the "dumbest exercise and use of time."
Senate Republicans are even struggling to convince Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to pressure Majority leader Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to hold a full impeachment trial.
Senator Schumer has stated he intends for President Pro Tempore Patty Murray (D-WA) to preside over the upcoming impeachment trial.
Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and others sent a letter to McConnell claiming he must push for a full impeachment trial and prevent Schumer from “sweep(ing) the Biden administration’s border invasion under the rug.”
GOP leadership must push for an impeachment trial for DHS Secretary Mayorkas.
We cannot allow Chuck Schumer to sweep the Biden administration’s border invasion under the rug. pic.twitter.com/qg1EFCdoF3
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) February 20, 2024
Schumer has indicated the Senate will consider Mayorkas’ impeachment upon returning from recess February 26.
Democrats could outright dismiss the charges against Mayorkas or evade the articles of impeachment altogether by diverting the matter to a Senate committee.
