Senate Republicans are voicing increasing favor for a trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, whom the House of Representatives impeached over two weeks ago.
The charges against Mayorkas are in connection with his actions concerning the southern border and illegal immigration. The initial impeachment efforts by the Republican-held House were met with skepticism from some senators who predicted the initiative would fail upon reaching the Senate floor. However, growing support for a trial is now emerging among Senate Republicans, including from those beyond hard-line conservative circles.
Last week, a faction of Republican senators led by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) requested Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) to “demand” a Senate trial for Mayorkas via a written appeal. It drew support from Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo), Rick Scott (R-Fla), Ron Johnson (R-Wis), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Roger Marshall (R-Kan), Josh Hawley (R-Mo), Mike Braun (R-Ind), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn). McConnell and Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) have since both expressed approval for a trial.
In addition to McConnell and Thune, Sens. Katie Britt (R-Ala), John Kennedy (R-La), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and Steve Daines (R-Mont) have also indicated their support for an impeachment trial. Despite the growing GOP backing for a trial, any such measure will likely fail due to the requirement of a two-thirds Senate majority to convict and remove Mayorkas from office.