WASHINGTON - Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., said Wednesday he's filing articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who has faced demands from top Republicans to resign over his handling of the southern border.
Biggs announced his move at a press conference alongside several Republicans, including Reps. Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.
Mayorkas appeared to dismiss the GOP's effort in an interview on MSNBC Tuesday, responding to threats of impeachment.
He said that we are doing everything possible to increase efficiency, to provide humanitarian relief when the law permits, and to give enforcement consequences when the law dictates. As far as I am concerned, I will continue to do that with great pride in the people with whom I work with. The House Judiciary Committee, led by Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, held the first in a series of hearings about the U.S. border on Wednesday morning. The hearing was entitled, Biden's Border Crisis - Part One, where Republicans said the hearing would examine border security, national security, and how fentanyl has impacted American lives. Biggs, who was Chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, introduced articles of impeachment against Mayorkas in August 2021, saying in a statement at the time that the Cabinet secretary was a threat to the sovereignty and security of our nation. The Republican congressman falsely stated that Mayorkas was encouraging aliens to enter our country illegally and DHS was systematically releasing COVID 19 positive aliens into our communities. His effort did not go through in the Democratic-controlled House.
After Republicans took the majority in the House, Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Texas, filed articles of impeachment of his own against Mayorkas in early January. The articles accused Mayorkas of committing high crimes and misdemeanors in his role as homeland security secretary. The articles were referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Since President Joe Biden took office, immigration and the surge in border crossings has been the top issue for congressional Republicans. The administration has faced GOP criticism for moving to end Trump-era policies, such as Remain in Mexico, which was aimed at restricting immigration at the southern border, and Title 42, a policy that allowed U.S. authorities to turn asylum seekers away at the border.
In November when House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was minority leader, he called on Mayorkas to resign, saying he had failed to secure the southern border. McCarthy warned that House Republicans would launch an investigation if Mayorkas refused to resign and would consider impeachment proceedings during a trip to El Paso, Texas, with other GOP lawmakers.
Mayorkas was sworn in as homeland security secretary after the Senate confirmed him in a 56 -- 43 vote in February 2021. Six Republicans voted with Democrats to confirm him.