Republican Congressman Ken Buck from Colorado has taken a stand against a resolution seeking to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, becoming the first Republican to openly break ranks with his party’s push for impeachment. Buck, who previously likened Mayorkas to Benedict Arnold over border issues, now argues that his colleagues have failed to present a convincing case for impeachment, asserting that the allegations don’t meet the criteria of “high crimes or misdemeanors.”
In explaining his decision, Buck mentioned consulting constitutional experts and former members, all of whom agreed that the accusations against Mayorkas don’t amount to an impeachable offense. Given the GOP’s slim majority, Republican leaders need the support of most party members, making Buck’s stance noteworthy.
Republicans are framing Mayorkas’s impeachment by accusing him of not adhering to immigration laws, pointing to detention standards that have never been met under any administration, including the Trump era. They also allege a “breach of public trust,” presenting it as a violation of Mayorkas’s oath of office.
Buck’s position aligns with other conservative voices urging the House GOP to abandon the impeachment effort. Attorney Alan Dershowitz, known for his role in Trump’s impeachment, argued in a recent op-ed that Mayorkas’s actions don’t meet constitutional standards for impeachment.
Despite his previous criticism of Mayorkas, including personal attacks during a House Judiciary hearing, Buck is now refusing to support impeachment. Two years ago, he accused Mayorkas of allowing opioids into the country and being responsible for human trafficking, portraying him as a traitor. Mayorkas, responding to Buck’s comments, called them profoundly offensive and highlighted his years of public service.
The unique dynamics around Mayorkas’s last name, often indicating Sephardic Jewish heritage, also emerged during the exchange, adding a distinctive touch to the congressional proceedings.
