Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) didn’t hold back on April 10. He threw shade at the Biden administration, suggesting they’re playing politics with illegal immigration. During a Senate hearing, Kennedy grilled Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, insinuating that the surge in illegal immigration was more about securing Democratic votes than border security.
During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, Kennedy questioned Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas about the political motives behind the surge in illegal immigration at the southern border.
Kennedy pointed to the influx of illegal immigrants and questioned whether the Biden administration was strategically allowing them into the country to impact congressional district reapportionment and the allocation of electoral votes.
Kennedy grilled Mayorkas on the Biden administration’s immigration policies. “Mr. Secretary, that the number of illegal immigrants that you and the president allow into our country counts for congressional district reapportionment?” Kennedy pressed.
Mayorkas seemed to evade the question and claimed that he did not understand it. He said, “I’m not sure I understand your question.” Despite not understanding the question, he said that he disagreed with the phrasing of the question.
Mayorkas then responded to Kennedy’s accusation by calling it “preposterous” and “disrespectful.” He reiterated that he has visited the southern border “many times.” He defended the Biden administration’s handling of the situation at the border, insisting that they are working to address the root problem of migration and are committed to a humane approach to immigration.
Despite Mayorkas’s explanation, the exchange highlighted the ongoing controversy surrounding the administration’s immigration policies and the Department of Homeland Security’s challenges in implementing them.
Undeterred, Kennedy accused Mayorkas of being fully aware of the political consequences of the border crisis, suggesting a deliberate agenda behind the administration’s policies.
“And you’ve done nothing for four years—zero, absolutely zilch. And, in fact, the only people I know in this country who are better off today than they were four years ago are illegal immigrants. And that’s a result of your policy,” Kennedy asserted, adding that it was because of Mayorkas’ policy.
Earlier in February, Mayorkas became only the second presidential cabinet member in U.S. history to be impeached, facing charges of neglecting to enforce immigration laws and breaching public trust. The impeachment vote, split along party lines, reflected deep partisan divisions, with Republicans largely in favor and Democrats against.
Despite initial plans to send the impeachment articles to the Senate on the day of the hearing, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced a delay until the following week as Republicans pushed for a full trial.
Democrats, controlling the Senate, are expected to table the trial, although Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has yet to confirm plans. Senate Republicans argue that Democrats fear the political consequences of a trial. At the same time, Democrats claim the charges against Mr. Mayorkas do not meet the constitutional threshold of “high crimes and misdemeanors.” Conviction would necessitate a two-thirds majority vote.
Republicans argue that Democrats are reluctant to confront the issue due to its political toxicity. According to Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Senate Democrats, House Democrats, and Joe Biden do not want this to be the issue of the day. At an April 9 press conference, Marshall called the situation “toxic.” Marshall said that Democrats fear the consequences of a trial.
Kennedy predicted that his Democratic colleagues would dismiss the impeachment and violate Senate precedent, but he emphasized that the border crisis would remain a prominent issue regardless.
“I don’t think that they will be able to sweep the issue—maybe your impeachment, but not the issue—under a rug as big as the United States of America,” Kennedy concluded.
