Two days after her attempt to impeach Alejandro Mayorkas failed, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene told the Homeland Security secretary he’s not out of danger yet and will soon face another vote.
The Georgia Republican went straight at the secretary during a Homeland Security Committee hearing on Tuesday, confronting him with a photo of two of her constituents who were killed at the border by a juvenile migrant smuggler who smashed his vehicle head-on into theirs.
“I want you to look at these innocent Americans. Do you see them?” she demanded.
“I do, congresswoman,” he replied.
“They are dead,” she said.
She then warned him not to take Monday’s impeachment test vote, when the House voted 209-201 to send her impeachment to committee rather than take it up immediately, as much of a reprieve.
“I want you to know you have a short time coming,” she said. “You can honorably resign or we are going to impeach you and it’s happening very, very soon.”
Monday’s vote saw eight Republicans join with Democrats to derail Ms. Greene’s impeachment attempt. He would have been the first sitting Cabinet official in history to be impeached.
House committees are still investigating Mr. Mayorkas for “dereliction of duty,” and that could fuel another impeachment attempt in the future.
Rep. Michael McCaul, Texas Republican, laid the chaos at the border — and the mounting death toll — at Mr. Mayorkas’ feet.
“I would argue you’ve been aiding and abetting the deaths in a criminal enterprise that has occurred in this nation,” said Mr. McCaul, a former federal prosecutor.
Rep. Dan Goldman, New York Democrat, complained that Mr. McCaul was out of bounds. For one thing, he said, there has to be an intent behind aiding and abetting, and he said that wasn’t the case with Mr. Mayorkas.
“Whether you disagree or not with Secretary Mayorkas’ approach of dealing with the border, to accuse him of aiding and abetting a crime is very serious and I think unwarranted in this situation,” Mr. Goldman said.
Mr. McCaul responded that as a Texan, he lives with the border and has never seen it so bad. He said it was Mr. Mayorkas’ “dereliction of duty.”
“The change of policy has created this problem,” Mr. McCaul said. “He knows better.”
Mr. Mayorkas and Republicans have been at odds from the start of his tenure, not only because of the border situation but also because of their frustration over getting answers to their questions.
In one exchange Wednesday, a lawmaker asked him if he agreed with New York Mayor Eric Adams that the surge of people will “destroy” New York.
“I’m going to answer your question that we do not underestimate the challenge at the southern border,” Mr. Mayorkas replied.
“With all due respect, it’s a yes-or-no question,” Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, New York Republican, said.
“I’ve answered that question,” Mr. Mayorkas countered.
Mr. D’Esposito changed to another question, asking if Mr. Mayorkas agreed with Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker who called the influx of migrants “untenable.”
“Congressman, we work very closely with the cities to …” Mr. Mayorkas replied before being cut off by Mr. D’Esposito, who again said it was a yes-or-no question.
“These are not trick questions,” the congressman said.
Later, a Democrat offered Mr. Mayorkas the chance to reply more fully to Mr. D’Esposito.
The secretary said: “We do not minimize the significance of the challenge of the southern border. We also understand the challenge at the southern border, and the fact that it is reflective of a challenge that is gripping our entire hemisphere and, in fact, the world.”
Some Republicans said they’ve given up on questioning the secretary altogether.
“I’m done with you,” Rep. Clay Higgins, Louisiana Republican, said. “My articles [of impeachment] have been filed and my time with you is done.”
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
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