Things are getting heated.
The House impeachment managers formally presented two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Tuesday, initiating a potential showdown in the Senate regarding the prospect of a full trial.
This historic move marked the first instance since 1876 that the House had forwarded impeachment charges against a Cabinet official to the Senate, as noted by the Senate historical office.
In a solemn atmosphere, Senators convened at their desks, a rare protocol reserved for significant occasions, as the 11 House managers proceeded down the center aisle to articulate the charges.
Heightening the seriousness, the Senate sergeant at arms issued a directive for silence under threat of imprisonment while the House prosecutors outlined the accusations and displayed the impeachment articles.
The Senators are slated to be sworn in as jurors the following day at 1 p.m. to determine whether a full trial on the Senate floor should proceed. However, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has indicated reluctance towards such a trial, citing concerns about setting a problematic precedent.
Schumer emphasized the need for expediency in addressing the issue, cautioning against the misuse of impeachment to resolve policy disagreements. He argued that such actions could lead to frequent disruptions and chaos within Congress.
While Schumer disclosed that Senate President Pro Tempore Patty Murray would oversee the impeachment proceedings, he refrained from specifying the Senate’s exact course of action.
Senate Republicans anticipate Schumer proposing a motion to dismiss the charges on Wednesday afternoon or evening, which would require a simple majority for approval.