Manchin and Capito split on speedy impeachment vote on Homeland Security secretary

West Virginia’s senators were split on the quick impeachment vote on U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

The majority of the U.S. Senate swiftly voted to reject two articles of impeachment against Mayorkas today.

The House majority voted two months ago by a one vote margin, 214-213, to impeach Mayorkas — the first time in nearly 150 years that a Cabinet secretary has been impeached.

The two articles charge that Mayorkas has “willfully and systematically” refused to enforce existing immigration laws and breached the public trust by lying to Congress and saying the border was secure.

Two-thirds of the Senate, which is controlled by Democrats, would have been necessary to vote to convict him.

Senator Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., voted to dismiss the impeachment charges. Manchin said the situation at the United States southern border is a crisis, but he said the impeachment process had not demonstrated Mayorkas has committed a crime.

“Impeachment is among the most solemn powers Congress possesses. The purpose is not to punish wrongdoing, but to preserve our constitutional government by removing treacherous and unfit officials from positions of public trust. Neither of the articles of impeachment against Secretary Mayorkas alleged any corruption, bribery, or any other crime. Instead, the House of Representatives sought to impeach a Cabinet official over a policy disagreement with the President,” Manchin said.

“I voted to dismiss the articles of impeachment against Secretary Mayorkas to avoid setting the dangerous precedent that this solemn process could be weaponized again against future Administration officials to score cheap political points.”

Senator Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., disagreed with the quick dismissal and said a full trial should have been held.

“Secretary Mayorkas has repeatedly failed to uphold the law and secure our southern border. The actions by all Democrats to prevent the Senate from holding a trial and hearing evidence is not only unconscionable, it’s a disservice to the American people who elected us to do our jobs and uphold our constitutional duty,” Capito said.