(TheRedWire.com) – Senate aides anticipate that Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) will promptly move to dismiss the impeachment charges against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas after they are presented by the House next week. Schumer is likely to call for a vote to either dismiss or table the charges immediately following their formal presentation to the Senate, scheduled for April 10.
While Schumer has the option to refer the matter to a special committee for evidence review, such a move is seen as potentially lending credibility to the accusations against Mayorkas, which Schumer has criticized as baseless and politically motivated. Given the Democrats’ narrow majority in the Senate, a simple majority vote could suffice to dismiss the charges, and there is speculation that some Republican senators might support dismissal, questioning the strength of the House’s case against Mayorkas.
Critics within the Senate, including some Republicans like Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Mitt Romney (R-Utah), have expressed concerns about the impeachment’s basis, viewing it more as a reflection of policy disagreements than actionable misconduct.
Schumer has dismissed the impeachment efforts as lacking substantial evidence of high crimes or misdemeanors, the constitutional standard for impeachment. Senator Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) echoed the sentiment, urging a swift dismissal to refocus on legislative priorities.
Even Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), known for his conservative stance among Democrats, labeled the impeachment as “ridiculous,” advocating for a quick resolution. Schumer’s office has indicated that the impeachment trial procedures are expected to extend over at least two days, during which senators will be sworn in as jurors.
House impeachment managers, led by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), have appealed to Schumer for a comprehensive trial, arguing that bypassing a thorough examination would undermine constitutional principles and disregard public duty.
The prospect of removing Mayorkas would require a two-thirds Senate majority, a threshold that seems unlikely given the current political dynamics. Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.) has called for a fair trial, reflecting the House’s impeachment decision, but he also acknowledged the likelihood of a dismissal attempt by Senate Democrats.
The situation draws comparisons to the 2010 impeachment of Louisiana Judge Thomas Porteous, where the Senate opted for a full trial amid substantial evidence, leading to a conviction. In contrast, the current impeachment against Mayorkas is viewed by some, including Republicans, as lacking solid evidence, making a swift dismissal more probable.
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