Sixty-two percent of voters support the Republican-led impeachment of President Joe Biden’s Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, according to the latest Harvard CAPS/Harris poll. Congressional Republicans allege Mayorkas’s refusal to enforce immigration laws and secure the border constitutes a dereliction of duty and violation of the public trust. The poll, conducted on February 21-22, indicates bipartisan approval for the impeachment, with 48 percent of Democrats, 54 percent of Independents, and 81 percent of Republicans endorsing the effort.
The poll corroborates increasing public dissatisfaction with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) approach to border security and the lack of enforcement of U.S. immigration laws. Only 43 percent believed that Mayorkas and his department adequately enforce immigration laws. Nearly 60 percent — including 33 percent of Democrats, 61 percent of Independents, and 78 percent of Republicans — say they believe Mayorkas has failed in his duties.
The House of Representatives voted to impeach Biden’s DHS secretary on February 13th. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has not yet transmitted the articles of impeachment to the Senate. The House Speakers says he aims to circumvent anticipated claims of insufficient time from Democratic Senators for an impeachment trial.
Whether the Senate will hold a trial remains uncertain — although Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has signaled he may be open to an expedited trial. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) — the outgoing Senate Republican leader — has not indicated his stance on impeachment.
