Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) released the following statement after voting to impeach U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas for willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law and breach of public trust:
“The actions of Secretary Mayorkas have led to a complete humanitarian and national security catastrophe. For three years, Secretary Mayorkas has refused to enforce the laws passed by Congress, abused his authority as a cabinet secretary, and misled Congress and the American people about the crisis and the role his actions and decisions have played in sparking and facilitating it.
“Despite clear evidence that his willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law has led to unprecedented levels of illegal immigration, the fentanyl crisis, cartel control at the southern border, and debilitating human and financial costs, Secretary Mayorkas has implemented a catch-and-release scheme, violating detention requirements and misusing parole authority.
“The secretary has expressed no intention of securing our nation’s border, ignoring his oath to our country. Congress has a responsibility to hold executive branch officials accountable when they fail to uphold their oath of office, abuse their authority, or are dishonest with the American people. This is essential in a constitutional republic built upon the separation of powers. Because of his willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law and breach of public trust, I voted to impeach Secretary Mayorkas.”
Background
The articles of impeachment filed against Secretary Mayorkas follow a nearly year-long investigation conducted by the House Committee on Homeland Security under the leadership of Chairman Mark Green (TN-07), which found that Secretary Mayorkas is "chiefly responsible for the chaos and devastation that has unfolded over the past three years" at America's borders.
Resolves that DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is impeached and refers two articles of impeachment to the Senate for trial: (1) Willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law and (2) breach of public trust.
Article I - Willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law. Secretary Mayorkas has violated numerous statutory provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act to implement a mass catch-and-release scheme, harming both American citizens and the migrants that seek to come here.
Article II – Breach of public trust. Secretary Mayorkas has breached the trust of the public by willfully violating his oath to faithfully discharge the duties of his office and the statutory duties prescribed to his office by Congress. Further, he has knowingly made false statements about his open border policies to both the American people and to Congress and he has obstructed the oversight work of congressional committees.
Read the articles of impeachment here.
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