Senator Bob Casey
Democratic Senator Bob Casey, known for his history of supporting impeachment proceedings against former President Trump, recently voted against the impeachment trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Rejected
The Senate rejected two impeachment articles brought against Mayorkas, one accusing him of willfully and systematically failing to comply with immigration laws, and the other alleging a breach of trust for his statements on border security.
Voting
The votes, which saw a 51-48 and 51-49 split, mostly followed party lines, with Senator Lisa Murkowski being the sole Republican to abstain from voting on the first article and opposing the second article.
Immigration laws
Republicans were advocating for a trial of Mayorkas for his alleged willful neglect in enforcing immigration laws, amidst a surge of illegal immigrants crossing into the U.S. since he assumed office as the Homeland Security Secretary under the Biden administration in 2021.
Opposed
Senator Casey, a Democrat, was part of the group that opposed the impeachment trial of Mayorkas, maintaining a reserved stance leading up to the vote. The decision by Senate Democrats to halt the impeachment process against Mayorkas holds historical significance, considering his current tenure in public office.
Mayorkas’ trial
The Senate’s rejection of proceeding with Mayorkas’ trial follows Casey’s consistent public endorsement of impeachment proceedings against Trump during his presidency. “There can be no justice without accountability for those involved in the insurrection against the federal government. As a Nation, we cannot advance our shared democratic values without consequences for those who have betrayed those values. Those who stormed the Capitol should face charges. President Trump should be impeached and removed from office because he betrayed his oath to the Constitution and incited a mob to violence,” Casey said in 2021, following protesters breaching the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 of that year.
Accused Trump
In 2020, when Democrats accused Trump of soliciting foreign interference in the 2020 election, Casey said, “Americans deserve a fair trial” when touting articles of impeachment against the 45th president.
Critical vote
“Soon the Senate will take a critical vote on whether we should hear from relevant witnesses like John Bolton. Americans deserve a fair trial. Anything less is a cover-up,” he said on X at the time. That same month, he also called for “answers, under oath, in full view of the American people,” as part of Trump’s first impeachment.
Trump impeachment
He added in 2019 of the Trump impeachment that failing to pursue proceedings against Trump would be “an insult to our Constitution and to our values.” “Our Constitution indicates that impeachment is for ‘treason, bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.’ A failure by Congress to pursue impeachment in the face of grave offenses by the President is an insult to our Constitution and to our values.”
Made history
Trump made history by being impeached twice, a first for any president, and was acquitted on all charges by the Senate. Senator Casey, who has been in the Senate since 2007, is expected to face a closely watched election this year as he prepares to campaign against the anticipated Republican candidate, Dave McCormick.
Vulnerable
Following the Mayorkas vote, Casey and other vulnerable Senate members from the Democratic Party have attracted increased attention from the Republican Party. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) informed Fox News that their decision to oppose the trial’s continuation will be a key focus during the upcoming election season.
Open border
“Joe Biden’s wide open border is going to be a top issue for voters headed into November,” NRSC spokesperson Maggie Abboud told Fox News. “You can bet we are going to highlight Senate Democrats’ refusal to hold Joe Biden’s DHS Secretary accountable on the campaign trail, in advertising, and in every other way possible,” she continued.
Cartels
“Together, Casey, Biden and Mayorkas have enabled drug cartels to flood Pennsylvania communities with deadly drugs like fentanyl,” Elizabeth Gregory, a spokesperson for McCormick, said.
Prominent issue
As the November elections approach, immigration has emerged as a prominent issue for voters, alongside worries about inflation, the economy, and crime.
7.3 million migrants
Nearly 7.3 million migrants crossed into the U.S. between President Biden’s inauguration and February 2024. This number surpasses the population of 36 separate states, underscoring the scale of the immigration challenge facing the country.