McClintock argues impeachment would cheapen its use in Congress
California Republican Rep. Tom McClintock made waves on Wednesday when he defied his own party by voting against the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. McClintock’s decision stemmed from his concern that this would lower the standard of impeachment, turning it into a routine occurrence whenever power shifts in Washington.
While the impeachment ultimately failed with a vote of 214-216, it was a significant blow to House Republicans who had been planning to impeach Mayorkas since regaining control of the chamber. McClintock, known for his conservative values and willingness to break with his party, had been meticulous in his decision-making process, ensuring he was confident in his stance.
McClintock highlights flaws in impeachment articles
In a detailed 10-page memo, McClintock argued that the two articles of impeachment failed to identify any impeachable crimes committed by Mayorkas. He contended that these articles distorted and stretched the Constitution in order to hold the administration accountable for what Republicans saw as a distortion and stretching of the law. The accusations against Mayorkas included allegations of failing to enforce immigration laws and breaching public trust.
Republicans claimed that Mayorkas had reversed immigration policies implemented during the Trump administration and enacted new policies under President Biden, which they believed had contributed to increased immigration numbers. However, the White House defended Mayorkas, asserting that impeachment should not be used as a tool for policy disagreements and that the current immigration policies were within the bounds of the approved budget.
McClintock dismissed the notion that new laws or additional funding would resolve the issue, emphasizing that voters had the power to address their dissatisfaction with immigration policy by electing Republicans to lead the government.
Unexpected vote outcome sparks debate
The vote against impeachment came as a surprise, influenced by several factors, including the absence of Republican members on the House floor, the dissenting votes of four Republicans, and the unexpected arrival of a Democrat who had just undergone surgery at a local hospital.
McClintock was one of the four Republicans who voted against impeaching Mayorkas. Notably, Rep. Blake Moore’s tactical vote against impeachment allowed the issue to be brought up again at a later date, due to his position as the vice chair of the conference.
House Speaker plans to reintroduce articles of impeachment
Despite the setback, House Speaker Mike Johnson remains determined to reintroduce the impeachment articles. Recognizing the challenges of a divided government and a narrow margin, Johnson emphasized the importance of each vote and expressed confidence in passing the articles during the next round.
While McClintock faced criticism from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene for his vote, he defended his position by stressing the importance of upholding the Constitution and protecting the integrity of the impeachment process. He warned against setting a precedent that could be turned against conservatives on the Supreme Court or future Republican administrations when Democrats regain control of Congress.
McClintock’s principled stand showcases his commitment to constitutional originalism and his willingness to defy party lines when he believes it is necessary.