Ft Wayne Times

Washington, D.C. - In a bold move, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) has voted to impeach Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The decision comes after a thorough investigation by the House Committee on Homeland Security, which found Mayorkas to be "chiefly responsible" for the ongoing crisis at the southern border.

"Secretary Mayorkas has violated his oath to protect American citizens by ignoring his duty to control and guard the border," stated Rep. Baird. "The Committee on Homeland Security conducted an exhaustive investigation into the border crisis and concluded that Secretary Mayorkas is deliberately refusing to do his job. We cannot allow someone who has ignored numerous calls for action to continue serving in this role. That's why I voted to keep my promise to the people of Indiana and impeach Secretary Mayorkas."

The House Committee on Homeland Security uncovered several impeachable offenses during Secretary Mayorkas' tenure. One of the key findings was his willful refusal to comply with detention requirements, instead implementing a mass catch-and-release program. Additionally, Mayorkas misused parole authority outlined in the Immigration and Nationality Act, which states that parole should be granted "only on a case-by-case basis." However, his plan allowed for the mass parole of aliens into the country.

Furthermore, the committee discovered that Secretary Mayorkas breached the public trust by knowingly making false statements about his refusal to comply with the law on multiple occasions. This violation not only undermined the trust of Congress but also the trust of the American public.

Secretary Mayorkas' time in office has been marked by a significant increase in illegal border crossings. In Fiscal Year 2023 alone, there were 6.2 million encounters with illegal immigrants, along with 1.7 million known "gotaways." Additionally, Customs and Border Protection arrested 35,433 aliens with criminal convictions or outstanding warrants and stopped 169 individuals on the terrorist watch list.

The impeachment vote against Secretary Mayorkas represents a significant step in holding government officials accountable for their actions. It sends a strong message that those who fail to uphold their duties and violate the public trust will face consequences. Congressman Baird's decision to vote for impeachment reflects his commitment to the people of Indiana and his dedication to ensuring the security and integrity of the nation's borders.

As the impeachment process moves forward, it remains to be seen what the outcome will be for Secretary Mayorkas. However, this historic vote serves as a reminder that public officials must be held to the highest standards of integrity and responsibility in order to maintain the trust of the American people.