Photo Courtesy U.S. Department of Homeland Security: The impeachment of DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was dismissed by the Senate.
Column By Mike Bibb
“The President, Vice President, and all civil officers of the United States shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.”
Article II, Section 4, United States Constitution
We can all probably agree our southern border is in shambles. We no longer have a functioning system to control and process illegal migrants walking across.
A reported 10-12 million – more than the population of several states – have unlawfully entered within the past few years.
Several hundred thousand have been flown into the country, completely bypassing the border.
For the most part, there’s no idea where many of these people have gone, or what they’re doing, or what they intend to do.
Our national security is at its greatest risk since Sept. 11, 2001, when only 19 terrorists hijacked a few commercial airliners and flew them into buildings in New York City, Washington, D.C., and a field in Pennsylvania, killing about 3000 citizens.
Undoubtedly, there are many more than 19 terrorists currently within the country.
If this was a military operation, it would be called an invasion. Millions of foreign people intentionally charging into the United States – without being approved – is an invasion.
Or, forced entrance, intrusion, aggression, or unwelcomed visitors if you prefer. All they lack are weapons, which may already be in place.
Recently, an abnormal inflow of Chinese nationals – mostly young adult males – have been apprehended in the San Diego area. I don’t believe they are coming here for relaxation, or to visit Disneyland.
Nevertheless, Congressional Republicans’ efforts to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, wasn’t the way to go. He’s merely a festering sore in an administration full of similar boils and abscesses.
As is “Border Czar” Vice President Kamala Harris. Between the two, they’ve managed to nearly totally incapacitate, and adversely impact the morale and functionality of a once vibrant border protection system.
In Mayorkas’ case, his intelligence, competence, and allegiance to the United States can be questioned, but to bring Articles of Impeachment against him, for the sake of political retaliation, was a waste of time.
Particularly, when each chamber of Congress is controlled by opposing parties; Democrats in the Senate, and Republicans in the House.
Oil and water don’t normally mix. Mayorkas’ impeachment was doomed from the very beginning. Senate Leader, Chuck Schumer (D-NY), refused to bring the Articles to a vote saying he wanted to “address this issue expeditiously as possible.”
Republicans and Democrats squabble all the time. Unfortunately, the impeachment process has been turned into a kind of parlor game when, in reality, it was originally intended as a method of last resort to dismiss presidents, vice presidents, and government officials for committing treason, bribery, and high crimes and misdemeanors. Art. II specifically states those requirements.
It doesn’t say anything about the misapplication of the law, policy intentions, or integrity and honesty of the person or persons administering the law.
While it’s an accepted reality Mr. Mayorkas has been a dismal failure as an employee, often insisting our southern border is secure as daily news clips, Border Patrol statements, individual state governors, and big-city mayors plead otherwise.
The border hasn’t been secure since President Biden welcomed the whole world to come on in.
Mayorkas has simply been following Joe’s instructions. The fact he routinely lies and misrepresents the facts is not an impeachable action. No more than ineptitude and stupidity are.
Consequently, is it possible to terminate a Cabinet Member without going through impeachment?
Sure. Cabinet positions are appointed by the president with the consent of the Senate. Joe hired him – he can fire him.
However, since Joe and Alejandro seem to think alike, chances of that happening are about the same as expecting Joe to admit Bidenomics hasn’t exactly been a roaring success either.
Sadly, when we elect and appoint buffoons to various government agencies, we have to live with those decisions until they can be corrected internally or through elections.
The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author.
