Senate Democrats facing re-election in battleground states are bracing for the upcoming impeachment trial of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The trial, set to commence this month, revolves around Mayorkas' involvement in the ongoing crisis at the southern border.
Notable Democratic senators such as Jon Tester, Jacky Rosen, Tammy Baldwin, Sherrod Brown, and Bob Casey, who are all up for re-election in competitive races, are expected to feel the pressure as voters in their respective states express deep concerns about border security.
Republican senators have accused Tester of avoiding votes on border and immigration-related issues during recent negotiations over a $1.2 trillion spending package, leading to a brief government shutdown. Tester's office has refuted these claims.
The House passed two articles of impeachment against Mayorkas in early February, with House Speaker Mike Johnson planning to deliver the articles to the Senate on April 10. Once the articles are delivered, all senators will be sworn in as jurors, with a simple majority of 51 senators needed to proceed with any action.
While Senate Democrats have largely dismissed the charges against Mayorkas as politically motivated, vulnerable Democratic senators in battleground states may face challenges from their Republican opponents on the campaign trail. Concerns over the border crisis have resonated with voters, with a March poll showing that a significant portion of registered voters view the situation at the southern border as an emergency.
Republican candidates have been vocal in calling for a full impeachment trial, criticizing Democratic senators for their stance on border security. The upcoming trial poses a dilemma for Democratic senators like Tester, Brown, and Casey, who must navigate between their party's base and voters' concerns over border issues.
As the Senate grapples with the impeachment trial, the outcome remains uncertain, with some Republicans expressing reservations about the trial's necessity. Senators like Mitt Romney, Lisa Murkowski, and Susan Collins have raised doubts about the trial's efficacy and potential constitutional implications.
Mayorkas is scheduled to appear before the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee on April 10 for an unrelated hearing regarding the department's fiscal 2025 request.
