The leader of the Republicans in the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, called on the Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, to resign due to the way he has managed the southern border of the United States, and warned that the new Republican majority in the House low will launch investigations that could lead to impeachment.
McCarthy, who is poised to become the new speaker of the House when the new Congress is installed in January, said the Republican majority would use “the power of funding and the power of subpoena” to get the administration of President Joe Biden be held accountable for border security.
“If Secretary Mayorkas does not resign, House Republicans will investigate every order, every action and every failure to determine if we can begin an impeachment inquiry,” McCarthy said at a news conference in El Paso, Texas.
Joined by fellow House Republicans, most of them from Texas, McCarthy said he had spoken with incoming chairs of relevant investigative committees and given their “full support” for launching investigations.
McCarthy said he expects Mayorkas to resign on January 3, when the new Congress convenes. The investigations will begin on the first day, he said. “Enough is enough,” he added.
Border security is among the top priorities for House Republicans, and Mayorkas is among the top officials they want to investigate and try to remove, possibly through impeachment.
McCarthy has not yet secured votes from House Republicans to become speaker of the House and is working to drum up support ahead of what is expected to be a narrow majority vote.
The California Republican in particular needs the votes of right-wing lawmakers, who are eager to begin the impeachment trial against Mayorkas and other officials in the Biden administration.
Lawmakers have pledged to hold public hearings at the border to highlight security concerns.