Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) criticized Democrats in the Senate for throwing out two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Wednesday, arguing that they disregarded long-standing traditions.
Cruz stated that Chuck Schumer abandoned over two centuries of Senate precedent by depriving the Senate of the right to conduct an impeachment trial. He accused the Democrats of neglecting the Constitution and the rule of law.
The Democratic-majority Senate voted 51 to 49 to dismiss two articles of impeachment against Mayorkas, breaking a 225-year tradition of either holding an impeachment trial or referring the matter to a special committee for review.
Cruz noted on NewsMax that historically, the Senate has held a trial for individuals facing impeachment articles, with only exceptions for cases involving death or departure from office.
Cruz criticized the Democrats for abandoning the 200-year precedent by refusing to allow a trial to occur, disregarding evidence, and choosing to rule out a consideration of the matter from the start.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer argued that a trial was unnecessary, citing the House's impeachment trial on grounds of being the least legitimate, least substantive, and most politicized in U.S. history.
Cruz attempted to challenge Schumer’s decision by proposing a private debate on the constitutionality of the impeachment, but the motion was rejected by Democrats.
Republicans sought to use the impeachment to highlight the Biden administration's immigration and border security record. The House accused Mayorkas of violating immigration laws and breaching public trust.
