US Representative Kevin McCarthy, the leader of the House Republicans, on Tuesday called on US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas to resign over management of the nation’s southern border with Mexico, warning that the new Republican majority would open investigations that could lead to impeachment proceedings.
McCarthy, who is positioned to become the new speaker of the US House of Representatives when the new US Congress convenes in January, said that the Republican majority would use “the power of the purse and the power of the subpoena” to hold US President Joe Biden’s administration accountable for border security.
“If Secretary Mayorkas does not resign, House Republicans will investigate every order, every action and every failure to determine whether we can begin an impeachment inquiry,” McCarthy told a news conference in El Paso, Texas. “This investigation could lead to an impeachment inquiry.”
Photo: Reuters
Standing with fellow House Republicans mostly from Texas, McCarthy said that he had spoken with the incoming chairs of investigatory committees and given his “full support” to US Representative Jim Jordan, who heads the Judiciary Committee, and US Representative James Comer, head of the Oversight Committee, to open investigations.
McCarthy said he expects Mayorkas’ resignation by Jan. 3, when the new Congress convenes.
Investigations would begin on the first day, he said, adding: “Enough is enough.”
Photo: Reuters
House Republicans have put border security among their top priorities, and Mayorkas among their top officials to investigate and try to remove from office, potentially through impeachment.
McCarthy has not yet secured the votes from House Republicans to become speaker, and he is working to shore up support before the vote from what is expected to be a slim, few-seat majority.
The California Republican particularly needs votes from a faction of Republican lawmakers who are eager to begin impeachment proceedings against Mayorkas and other Biden administration officials.
The lawmakers pledged to hold public hearings at the border to highlight the security concerns.
“Alejando Mayorkas must resign,” said US Representative Kat Cammack, who joined the group at the border. “And if he doesn’t we will make him.”
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