February 1, 2024

Using the impeachment process "as a political weapon" is a "dangerous precedent," a "pointless sideshow."


While our broken immigration system is a serious matter, this impeachment push is not. There is no legitimate basis for impeaching [Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro] Mayorkas, and House Republicans have not presented any evidence that he has violated the law. Instead, they are on the verge of abusing one of the most powerful mechanisms of government to score political points, potentially setting a dangerous precedent.... Any proceedings against him will only be a distraction from the humanitarian crisis at our doorstep and the lack of leadership in Congress.... The impeachment process is not intended to be used as a political weapon. The move to impeach Mayorkas is a pointless sideshow and deserves to fail.

108 comments:

Bill R said...

As ye sow, so shall ye reap.

Galatians 6:7

rehajm said...

Well...NOW it is. Stop being to predictable...

rehajm said...

The last couple were political weapons. This one is EXACTLY why the power exists...

Kate said...

Instead of diversity training, let's make everyone undergo irony training.

gilbar said...

on the verge of abusing one of the most powerful mechanisms of government to score political points, potentially setting a dangerous precedent.
The impeachment process is not intended to be used as a political weapon.

this is called.. Locking the Barndoor, after shooing all the horses out

Kevin said...

I’m so old I remember when impeachment was a political process.

RMc said...

Instead, they are on the verge of abusing one of the most powerful mechanisms of government to score political points, potentially setting a dangerous precedent

It's amazing how Dems can write stuff like this with a straight face. (Actually, no, it's not.)

tim in vermont said...

"potentially setting a dangerous precedent.... "

Now I spit coffee all over my keyboard.

Money Manger said...

Oh Ann, a little breakfast red-meat thrown to your hypocrisy-spotting commenters ?

Dave Begley said...

He failed to take care to faithfully execute the laws; not violating the law.

A plain misstatement of facts by CNN. And not for the first time!

Iman said...

You’d have to have a heart of stone not to laugh.

Aught Severn said...

Point the first:

"It’s ironic that some of the same conservative lawmakers who argued in favor of a high bar for impeaching Trump now seem to favor a much lower standard when it comes to Mayorkas."

It would be interesting to know the authors take on those two impeachments a well. Is he being consistent in his standard or just hypocritical?

Point the second:

"What an insult to the first Latino Homeland Security secretary that the committee’s resolution describes his conduct as a “threat” to national and border security and “the safety of the American people.” Indeed, a group of prominent Miami Cuban Americans have protested to GOP leadership over what they see as the unfair targeting of the highest-ranking Cuban American in government."

Has there been any indication that he has been targeted because of his background? The corollary is that this author is arguing immunity from accountability because he is the first xxx in a position.

Point the third:

"Remember, it is the job of Congress to overhaul our immigration system by passing legislation"

He apparently forgot the oversight function. This is the House acting in oversight of the Executive, within bounds of its constitutional duty.

Mike Sylwester said...

Our immigration system was broken by Mayorkas.

That is why Mayorkas is being impeached.

Leland said...

The precedent of impeachment for not carrying out the law as passed by Congress was set with the first Trump impeachment. You were warned not to set the bar that low.

In Trump’s case, he still delivered the aid to Ukraine on time.

In Mayorkas case, he lied to Congress repeatedly about the security of the border.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Impeachment is not a criminal matter. It’s political, it’s a political process of last resort. They can’t impeach the big guy for apparent corruption via his son’s shady dealings, but they can impeach the guy the big guy put in charge of enforcing the laws restricting entry into the United States. Facilitating the Illegal entry of foreigners via the southern border constitutes an impeachable offense at the very minimum.

Jersey Fled said...

The comments just write themselves.

Temujin said...

It's like you just set a beautifully cooked filet mignon in front of us.

Of course impeachment has just been pushed and encouraged by CNN over the Trump years (and they continue to push for his jailing). Impeachment is now the No. 1 most threatened tool used by the opposition. I quote Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib: "We're gonna impeach the mother******!" CNN actually has a video of it.

The kicker line to me is "There is no legitimate basis for impeaching [Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro] Mayorkas...".
They're right except for the over 10 million illegal immigrants that WE KNOW OF that have come in since Biden's team took office, the flow of illegal drugs, including fentanyl that has killed thousands of Americans, and the human trafficking that has made the cartels millions, expanding their business to every state in the Union, and the hundreds, if not thousands of terrorists now placed in key cities across the US, awaiting their 'go' orders.
Aside from that, there's no reason to impeach the Director of Homeland Security. As you can see, we're very secure.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

If there is “no evidence” of law breaking at the southern border, forget about looking for evidence of wrongdoing by the Biden’s family business dealings. My goodness.

jaydub said...

Mayorkas deserves to be impeached for arrogance if nothing else. I have never seen a photo of him without his nose in the air amid his claims of persecution. Eff 'im. He deserves more than impeachment for what he has and is doing to the country.

Breezy said...

He’s been lying for three years. I so hate how long it takes for the bad apples to be chucked.

Esteban said...

Oh, so now it's a political weapon when it is used against your side. Be nice if we could blast both the republicans and democrats straight into the sun.

Enigma said...

CNN was the home of daily updates to the "Trump lie counter" as the entirely fictitious Crossfire Hurricane program led to Democratic congressional investigations and impeachments. So now, it's hard to distinguish between their stupidity (per staff having the attention spans of housecats) versus propaganda.

rehajm said...

Oh Ann, a little breakfast red-meat thrown to your hypocrisy-spotting commenters ?

New here? Yes, she let's us do the heavy lifting on the flagrant hypocrisy of liberals- wouldn't want to 'help your side' and all. She saves her op-ed for when Republicans don't dot an I or cross a T...

Enigma said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lem the artificially intelligent said...

“There’s no evidence…” there was less evidence of an insurrection and that didn’t stop judges from throwing protesters in jail for years. It’s a good thing these people are going out of business.

Aggie said...

Looks like there's throbbing all-around.

'He's broken no laws ! ' Of course, you can't break what you don't use.

J Severs said...

Now they tell us.

Heartless Aztec said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Wince said...

1.) Distinction: Trump was elected, Mayorkas wasn't.

OVERVIEW OF 8 U.S.C. 1324
Title 8 U.S.C. 1324 describes several crimes involving assisting, transporting, or harboring aliens entering the country illegally. Under this law, any of the following actions constitute a federal immigration crime:

Smuggling aliens into the U.S. under subsection 1324(a)(1)(A)(i) makes it a crime to bring aliens into the United States by any entry place other than a designated port of entry or another legal entry point. This is true even if the alien(s) in question have been legally authorized to enter.

Transporting unauthorized aliens under subsection 1324(a)(1)(A)(ii) makes it a crime to transport an unauthorized alien inside the U.S. by any means of transportation while knowing the alien has entered the country illegally.

Harboring unauthorized aliens under subsection 1324(a)(1)(A)(iii) makes it a crime to harbor, shield, or conceal an unauthorized alien knowingly. Harboring includes providing shelter or other assistance (financial, food, etc.).

Encouraging illegal entry under subsection 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv) makes it unlawful to encourage aliens to enter the United States illegally. This includes inducing or persuading aliens to cross the border without proper authorization.

Conspiring with others to bring in aliens illegally/aiding/abetting under subsection 1324(a)(1)(A)(v) makes it a federal crime to conspire with others to bring unauthorized aliens into the United States or assist them in doing so, whether for financial gain or not.

Bringing unauthorized aliens into the U.S under subsection 1324(a)(2). Unlike smuggling aliens, which only deals with bypassing legitimate ports of entry (see above), this section makes it a federal crime to knowingly bring any unauthorized alien into the country at any point or by any means.

Knowingly hiring unauthorized aliens under subsection 1324(a)(3)(A). Newly added to this law in 1996, it is now a crime for any employer to hire ten or more unauthorized aliens within 12 months knowingly.

WHAT ARE THE RELATED STATUTES?
8 U.S. Code Part VIII general penalty provisions list several statutes that are related to Title 8 U.S. Code 1324, including the following:

8 U.S.C. 1321 - prevention of unauthorized landing of aliens;
8 U.S.C. 1322 - bringing in aliens for healthcare grounds;
8 U.S.C. 1323 - unlawful bringing of aliens into the United States;
8 U.S.C. 1325 - improper entry by the alien;
8 U.S.C. 1326 - reentry of removed aliens;
8 U.S.C. 1327 - aiding or assisting certain aliens in entering;
8 U.S.C. 1328 - importation of alien for immoral purpose

Heartless Aztec said...

Washington DC is a car where there's a never ending stream of clowns exiting the vehicle. Dem and Repub. 80% of the people there should be ashamed of themselves and their political behavior. I wish my grandmother was still around - she could straighten them out pronto.

Howard said...

Temujin says it best. They dangle red meat in front of psychologically damaged people and the marks eagerly gobble it up.

Left Bank of the Charles said...

It’s an Op-Ed. You only get to throw the hypocrisy card if you can show that Raul A. Reyes, the writer of the Op-Ed, is a hypocrite.

WWIII Joe Biden, Husk-Puppet + America's Putin said...

They impeached Trump over a phone call asking someone to look into Biden's obvious and real corruption.

mezzrow said...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

(breathes)

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Tank said...

This is why satire is dead.

Jake said...

How droll.

Gusty Winds said...

The move to impeach Mayorkas is a pointless sideshow and deserves to fail.

Mayorkas was hired to break the immigration system. He is doing the job assigned by the Biden administration. Import future Democrat communist votes; try and turn Texas blue.

Worst case is let in millions of military aged young men who can be strategically activated to cause chaos against Americans during and election year...like ANTIFA.

The guy is going his job. It really takes an evil asshole to accept this kind of task. He must be perfect for the job, because he has succeeded beyond anyone's imagination.

Shane said...

The impeachment process is designed and solely intended to be used as a political weapon.

Shane said...

The impeachment process is designed and solely intended to be used as a political weapon.

Big Mike said...

Well, CNN, you know.

narciso said...

10 million cases of dereliction this cuban says otherwise

Sebastian said...

"While our broken immigration system is a serious matter"

So who broke it?

"House Republicans have not presented any evidence that he has violated the law"

If millions of illegals and systematic abuse of asylum don't count, what does?

"potentially setting a dangerous precedent"

LOL. The GOP is following Dem precedent.

"The impeachment process is not intended to be used as a political weapon."

LOL. Jeez. Being prog means not having to show any self-awareness.

Charlie said...

First they came for Alejandro Mayorkas and I said nothing.

Bob Boyd said...

I'm gonna wait for Taylor Swift to weigh in.

n.n said...

Latino? Latin-American? LatinX?

Does he serve the People and our [unPlanned] Posterity?

American Spring?

The last two impeachments were cover-ups of selfie-ish proportions, aided and abetted by CNN et al

That said, send the illegal aliens to Martha's Vineyard, where they can be deported with virtuous indignation.

The lunatic left, the labor arbitrage, the Democrats, the rabid diversitists, the transcitizen/civil rights activists, at the twilight fringe. Abort.

Marty said...

Can one ever get tired of pointing out the breathtaking lack of self-awareness of the dorks in the MSM?

Marty said...

Can one ever get tired of pointing out the breathtaking lack of self-awareness among the dorks of the MSM?

cassandra lite said...

We’re living in the golden era of irony purveyed by elites.

cassandra lite said...

We’re living in the golden era of irony purveyed by elites.

baghdadbob said...

In the real world, aka the private sector, there is no impeachment.

There is: fired for cause, terminated not for cause, or the very gentle reduction in force and you're included.

In government, no such remedies exist, except in the most severe circumstances.

Anthony said...

Projection: It's not just a river in Egypt.

SMURF said...

I think I need to see what this dope thought about impeaching Trump 3 times totally absent any legal or factual basis.Don't start scrap like that unless you want more.

Todd said...

Using the impeachment process "as a political weapon" is a "dangerous precedent," a "pointless sideshow."

I seem to recall that same argument was used for the multiple impeachment attempts against Trump. So that bridge has been crossed, recrossed, X-crossed, camped on, etc.

On the other hand, Mayorkas and Biden have actually earned real and justifiable impeachments and more for their multiple failures beyond the complete lack of boarder control. A thing that is ACTUALLY part of this administration's job.

So cry me a river...

Big Mike said...

As so often happens, The Babylon Bee has very succinctly explained explained everything in an article titled Mayorkas Says He's Not Sure How He Can Be Impeached When He Doesn't Even Do Anything. The money quote is:

"It makes no sense," said Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security. "I've done nothing that could possibly warrant impeachment. I have done literally nothing at all. How can that be a crime?"

Lawyers for Mayorkas have begun assembling briefs arguing that impeachment proceedings cannot even be brought against someone who doesn't do anything. "The man just sits there, twiddling his thumbs. What on earth can you charge him with?" said government lawyer Regina Halpert. "You can't mess up on a job you're not even doing. It's as simple as that."


For the handful of the Althouse commentariat who aren't aware, The Babylon Bee is a satirical website. It's just that satire is the only lens through which politics in the Era post-Obama can be viewed and it all makes sense.

BTW, the way, I noticed the above article after linking to the following Babylon Bee article: The Babylon Bee Guide To Which Statues You Can And Can't Tear Down. They don't explicitly cover yesterday's Althouse post about the Jackie Robinson statue being torn down, however it convey enough to infer that it's okay to tear down a statue of Jackie Robinson because, though black, he was much admired by non-woke white men and therefore stands for white supremacy or white male privilege or something.

n.n said...

Our democratic system exploits labor arbitrage, minority gerrymandering, DEI (e.g. affirmative discrimination), and CAIR with Spring, for profit, leverage, and to compensate for planned parenthood in progress.

DJ99 said...

Broken system? That's like being given a functioning car,opening up the hood,and ripping out the hoses and wires off and screeching "My car is dysfunctional!How do you expect me to use this poor broken car?

Rich said...

Well, this stunt is certainly easier than passing a bill to solve the bigger problem. Political theater. And bad theater at that…..

D.D. Driver said...

A dangerous "precedent"! Can't make it up. Using the impeachment process as a political weapon is truly unprecedented.

Has it ever been used for something else? Ever? Don't the actual wrongdoers resign when they get caught instead of stand for impeachment? What remains are the political fights. That's the ONLY reason anyone ever uses impeachment. Politics.

Leland said...

The comments just write themselves.

One can imagine reposting all the comments made by Democrats during the first impeachment trial as a response to the CNN article.

MikeD said...

Welp! Just scrolled thread looking for retired center-left law professor to opine on a ridiculous opinion she'd shared with us. Nada!

rcocean said...

Political? Gee, you mean like the two impeachments of Trump? Gosh I can why CNN is upset given their hard stand against those two "Sideshows". LOL

Its called "Retaliation" and also respecting the rule of law. Unlike Trump, Mayorkas deserves to be impeached. He's refused to enforce the immigration laws. And the fact that the Senators wont convict should be put on the record.

I'm looking foward to Mittens explaining why this is a silly "Sideshow" while the two Trump impeachments caused Romney to talk to God and blather about his "duty to the constitution".

Cappy said...

That's funny. It wasn't four years ago.

rcocean said...

BTW, I seriously doubt the Republicans have the votes in the House. The Democrats vote as a bloc, NO MATTER WHAT. And the R's ALWAYS have a handful of traitors who will vote with the D"s NO MATTER WHAT.

Also, while Pelosi rammed through her impeachments in a matter of days, look for the R's to cross every I, and dot every t, and take at least 3 months.

Also, also: Look for the nevertrumper, and RINO losers, at all the Conservative magazines, fox news, and WSJ to tell us that "Two wrong dont make a right" and "We shouldn't stoop to the democrats leveL" and assorted kintergarden talk to cover the fact that they like Mayorkas and hated Trump.

hombre said...

It is pointless. Democrats and RINOs won't convict. If dereliction and/or lying to Congress are grounds for impeachment, Mayorkas ought to be impeached.

Republicans, however, should stop playing Democrat games.

Roger Sweeny said...

Yes, it's pointless. The Republicans should be making the case for real border control legislation, not sort of supporting counterproductive "bipartisan" bills like the Senate one that was almost passed last week. Their unwillingness to come up with real legislation and make a simple case for it is maddening.

Yancey Ward said...

"Well, this stunt is certainly easier than passing a bill to solve the bigger problem. Political theater. And bad theater at that….."

What bill is that, Rich? Be specific. What does Congress need to pass?

Bushman of the Kohlrabi said...

They’re just telling their customers what they want to hear. It’s how modern media organizations work. If you go to the NYT expecting journalistic honesty and integrity, you’re obviously in the wrong place.

Michael K said...

Impeaching will fail because the Democrats will never let it happen. Of the 14 alleged border concerned, enough will vote NO to accomplish that will letting the others hide.

Mingus Jerry said...

Shorter version: It's OK when we do it.

Mike of Snoqualmie said...

"Taxpayers funding immigrant trips north, envelopes of cash ‘for whatever they want’"

Sounds like a good RICO case to be made under:

8 U.S.C. 1324 - Assisting, transporting, or harboring aliens entering the country illegally.
8 U.S.C. 1321 - prevention of unauthorized landing of aliens;
8 U.S.C. 1322 - bringing in aliens for healthcare grounds;
8 U.S.C. 1323 - unlawful bringing of aliens into the United States;
8 U.S.C. 1325 - improper entry by the alien;
8 U.S.C. 1326 - reentry of removed aliens;
8 U.S.C. 1327 - aiding or assisting certain aliens in entering;
8 U.S.C. 1328 - importation of alien for immoral purpose

For both the NGOs and the Biden administration.

n.n said...

Will the LatinY fall on his scalpel in order to defend his boss against charges of citizen/civil rights violations, excess rapes... rape-rapes, homicide, harassment, and redistributive change?

Hey Skipper said...

From today's NYT "The Morning" newsletter (no paywall):

Stricter enforcement of immigration laws really does tend to reduce migration flows.

That point may seem obvious, but it’s one that many politicians from both parties question ...


Who? How?

In recent days, House Republicans and Donald Trump have criticized the outlines of a bipartisan Senate deal that would significantly tighten border security.

How?

Trump suggested it was “worse than no border deal.” (The most plausible explanation for his stance is politics — namely, that continuing border chaos could increase his chances of beating Biden in November.)

The next most plausible explanation, except for being far more plausible, is that the "deal" does nothing to increase border security.

Many progressive Democrats, for their part, argue that border security is ineffective at stopping illegal immigration

That is because progressives have built up powerful antibodies to the glaringly obvious.

But the evidence belies these arguments. The security of the border both directly and indirectly affects migration flows. In the short term, a less porous border allows fewer people to enter the U.S. For example, the migrants whom Mexico recently deported — including some who had arrived by airplane from outside the Western Hemisphere — might otherwise have made it to the U.S.

Longer term, a more secure border changes the calculation for people contemplating a harrowing journey toward the U.S. If entry to the U.S. — a far richer country than most — seems likely, many more people will attempt it. If it seems unlikely, the costs of the journey will dissuade more.


Well, duh.

Mexico’s recent crackdown is merely the latest evidence of this pattern. Biden’s presidency is an even bigger example.

In response to Trump’s extreme opposition to immigration ... Biden and other Democrats moved far in the other direction. As The Economist recently wrote, Trump “radicalized” some Democrats on immigration. The party’s 2020 platform said nothing about border security and was devoted largely to making entry into the U.S. easier, mostly through legal pathways but also by going easier on illegal immigration.


If there was ever a moronic reason to take a policy position, this is it.


I want to emphasize that most Americans have long believed, and still believe, that their country should be a haven for people fleeing political repression. The Biden administration’s approach has gone further, however. In the name of humanitarianism, it has broadened policies that were historically focused on political refugees, changing them to admit more migrants who are attracted to the U.S.’s high living standards.

The Biden administration has never fussed itself to present this argument. Moreover, it has adopted policies with certain bad results, that would be resoundingly be defeated at the polls if Americans ever got a chance to vote on them.

(That the NYT has acknowledged the obvious raises the suspicion it has decided it is time to start shoving Biden aside.)

Steve said...

"The impeachment process is not intended to be used as a political weapon."

Sorry bud, that ship sailed long ago.

effinayright said...

I'm sure Texans would be happy to arrange an old-fashioned "Necktie Party" for Mayorkas, in lieu of impeachment.

Skeptical Voter said...

The CNN stuff can only have been written by someone whose head was so far up his alimentary canal that it was touching his esophagus. Note I used the male pronoun here, but it would also be true if the writer was female or anyone of the other 57 sexual varieties on offer these days.

Joe Smith said...

No fucking self-awareness.

These people are evil and will not stop until this nation is a communist paradise.

Bruce Hayden said...

“Mayorkas was hired to break the immigration system. He is doing the job assigned by the Biden administration. Import future Democrat communist votes; try and turn Texas blue.”

If that was their intent, it’s failing miserably. FJB’s approval rating by Hispanics is dropping like a rock. It’s not just Trump hits a cord with then, but also that they don’t like illegal immigration either, and the only border state that might consider giving illegals the vote is CA. It’s not going to turn TX blue, rather, it seems to be turning TX even redder.

That said, Myorkis is very clearly subject to impeachment under the Constitution. I think that the decision was made that he was strategically a better than FJB was for impeachment over the Administration’s horrible border policies. It’s not as overtly political as impeaching FJB over them, and they can possibly pick up some Dem votes as a result. It also lets Republicans showcase their immigration policies throughout election year. There is a lot of misinformation put out by the MSM on the border situation, such as that it’s only families with small kids crossing the border, for a better life (which is not, in fact, a legal justification for illegally immigrating here). It’s mostly single young adult males, many of questionable character. Etc. I think that the Republican House leadership has counted noses, and can get an impeachment, after 6-8 months of very public hearings (which will be dutifully ignored, by the MSM). AND, it should put some pressure on Border or Red State Dems in both Houses.

I don’t think that FJB is off the hook here. He could just play dumb about the runaway illegal immigration. He can’t about his family’s corruption, their lengthy history of taking bribes, trading them for favors, etc. It would be esp humorous if his meddling in Ukrainian politics and governance, in trade for family cash, that resulted in Trump’s first impeachment, would be esp delicious for many Trump supporters.

wendybar said...

And the Progressives would know as they used it for that reasoning alone against Trump. Trump got impeached asking about Joe Bidens corruption. Can't have THAT!!

Rocco said...

Heartless Aztec said...
"Washington DC is a car where there's a never ending stream of clowns exiting the vehicle. Dem and Repub. 80% of the people there should be ashamed of themselves and their political behavior. I wish my grandmother was still around - she could straighten them out pronto."

I once had a gig tarring roofs during the summer. It was either that or working on a poultry farm up in Indiana somewhere plucking chickens. Maybe we can combine elements of those two jobs somehow.

wendybar said...
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wendybar said...
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wendybar said...

Charlie said...
First they came for Alejandro Mayorkas and I said nothing.

2/1/24, 8:33 AM

FIRST??? Tell that to the J6 political prisoners, and all the people the FBI raided BECAUSE they were Trump supporters...NO other reason.

You should have said something 7 years ago when Progressives started weaponizing the Government, the Intel agencies and the Media.

Bruce Hayden said...

"Well, this stunt is certainly easier than passing a bill to solve the bigger problem. Political theater. And bad theater at that….."

“What bill is that, Rich? Be specific. What does Congress need to pass?”

Dems want Republicans to, in effect, legitimize and legalize their illegal immigration actions. We now keep hearing that it’s the Republicans responsibility, that they aren’t fulfilling, to change the law to accommodate what the Democrats and FJB are doing here. And some squishy Republicans in the Senate seem to be interested. Why? The proposed legislation would grant the Dems the ability to accept millions of illegal immigrants a year into this country, with effectively no consequences. What is in it for Republicans? Nothing, of course, which is why the Dems, and in particular, the MSM are trying to shame them into it. And some of them in the Senate seem willing to go along, to get their approval.

wendybar said...

rcocean said...
BTW, I seriously doubt the Republicans have the votes in the House. The Democrats vote as a bloc, NO MATTER WHAT. And the R's ALWAYS have a handful of traitors who will vote with the D"s NO MATTER WHAT.

Especially with the Rinos who cave to the Progressives every single time, which is why many of us are NOT Republicans, because we don't trust them anymore than we trust the Democrats.

wendybar said...

Howard said...
Temujin says it best. They dangle red meat in front of psychologically damaged people and the marks eagerly gobble it up.

2/1/24, 7:41 AM

Yeah, Nasty Nancy was good at that with her 3 impeachments against Trump. Progressives really are psychologically damaged people. See NYC, CHICAGO, SAN FRANCISCO, SEATTLE and all of the Progressive congress critters for example. REALLY damaged people. Probably the first time I agree with you Howard!!

Bruce Hayden said...

“The Biden administration has never fussed itself to present this argument. Moreover, it has adopted policies with certain bad results, that would be resoundingly be defeated at the polls if Americans ever got a chance to vote on them.”

They aren’t going to either. They much prefer implementing their open borders policies under the table, because openly talking about it would shed light on how horrible it is. So, they pretend that there is nothing to see, stay as far away from the border as they can, and depend on MSM organs like CNN here to hide what they can, and explain away what they can’t. And, yes, I think that this impeachment is aimed directly at that.

wendybar said...

Howard said...
Temujin says it best. They dangle red meat in front of psychologically damaged people and the marks eagerly gobble it up.

2/1/24, 7:41 AM

Yeah, Nasty Nancy was good at that with her 3 impeachments against Trump. Progressives really are psychologically damaged people. See NYC, CHICAGO, SAN FRANCISCO, SEATTLE and all of the Progressive congress critters for example. REALLY damaged people. Probably the first time I agree with you Howard!!

wendybar said...

Howard said...
Temujin says it best. They dangle red meat in front of psychologically damaged people and the marks eagerly gobble it up.

2/1/24, 7:41 AM

Yeah, Nasty Nancy was good at that with her 3 impeachments against Trump. Progressives really are psychologically damaged people. See NYC, CHICAGO, SAN FRANCISCO, SEATTLE and all of the Progressive congress critters for example. REALLY damaged people. Probably the first time I agree with you Howard!!

Rabel said...

The only advantage to the Republicans (and the country) is that impeachment hearings may break through the media's obfuscation and bring attention to the most damaging aspect of the illegal immigration crisis, that is - the almost unbelievable number of people coming in.

There are six million new non-English speaking, semi-literate foreigners with no apparent means of support, no housing, no sense of being Americans - and we don't even know where they are. And millions more are on the way.

It's not a crisis, it's a disaster.

My confidence in the Republican leadership to handle this well is close to zero.

Rabel said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
iowan2 said...

I am gob smacked, I tell you.

Impeachment of political appointee, by a Political Branch of Government, is motivated by politics?
HOW can this be allowed to happen? How can politics so infect the Legislative Branch of our Nations Government?

Here's a handy test. When people start talking about what the govt cqn do, or not do, ask a simple question.

Who does the constitution grant the power to?

Can the House impeach a cabinet Member? Yes, yes, the House can impeach, according to the constitution. Who has the power to stop the House? Nada. The constitution provides no other power to obstruct the impeachment process of the House.

Can the Vice President refuse to count some Electoral College Votes? Yes they can. NO power exists in the constitution to challenge or review the power of Vice President to count EC votes

All of this however is reviewable by the voters. The voters can remove from office those politicians that have violated the desires of the voter. Strange huh? A political check against political actions.

loudogblog said...

Gee, I wonder who recently started using massive lawfare as a political weapon?

Yancey Ward said...

Rich, what legislation needs to be passed? Speak up, dude- have the balls to take a position.

Static Ping said...

Mayorkas lied to Congress. Repeatedly. That's a crime.

The bigger problem is the executive branch is required, by oath, to uphold the laws. The executive branch is currently refusing to enforce immigration law with no justification other than they would prefer not to. If Mayorkas disagrees with this, he should resign. Since he has not resigned, I must assume he agrees with refusing to enforce the law and therefore is complicit in violating the law. He is corrupt. The only other explanation is he is utterly incompetent, in which case he should be removed anyway.

Anyway, impeachment and removal is, by its very nature, a political act. It is not reviewable by the courts. Would I like to limit its use to only the most serious of cases? Yes. That norm was violated during Trump's term, so good luck with arguing this is unjustified unless you have the memory of goldfish.

Fred Drinkwater said...

Today's news: TB cases in Silicon Valley (Santa Clara County CA) rose 19% from 2022 through 2023. (NBC Bay Area)

rehajm said...

A reminder that President Donald Trump offered to sit down with Democrats and discuss immigration policy- everything is on the table ha said. He was ignored by...everyone, but especially by Democrats.

Craig Mc said...

Me sowing: This is TREASON!

Me reaping: This is RIDICULOUS!

Greg the Class Traitor said...

Using the impeachment process "as a political weapon" is a "dangerous precedent," a "pointless sideshow."

That's what we told you shit for brains during the two different Trump "impeachment" hoaxes. You wouldn't listen then.

You need to have a hearty glass of STFU now, because even if your claims are 100% true, that ship has sailed, and you are the ones who sailed it

Greg the Class Traitor said...

Left Bank of the Charles said...
It’s an Op-Ed. You only get to throw the hypocrisy card if you can show that Raul A. Reyes, the writer of the Op-Ed, is a hypocrite.

Show us where he opposed both Trump "impeachment" hoaxes. He didn't?

Then he's a hypocrite.

He's writing an OpEd in Waco, therefore he is assumed to have supported the impeachments unless proven otherwise

Martin said...

The only real problem I have with impeaching Mayorkas is why Mayorkas why not his boss Joe Biden.

Jim at said...

Sometimes I just have to laugh at the brazen hypocrisy of the left.

This is one of those times.

Jim at said...

Well, this stunt is certainly easier than passing a bill to solve the bigger problem.

Again, you've been asked before and I don't recall seeing a response.

What law needs to be passed in order to currently secure the border?

If you won't answer, maybe you ought to sit this one out.

Bruce Hayden said...

“The only real problem I have with impeaching Mayorkas is why Mayorkas why not his boss Joe Biden”

Because FJB could potentially avoid impeachment for the border crisis by just playing dumb. He does a very good job of that. If accused of wrong doing, he can just as “what?”

Josephbleau said...

In golden age SF there was always the implication that the leader of evil was brilliant, psychologically damaged, and in active leadership. The Mule in Asimov's Foundation is the type location.

Now I see that the master of evil is merely a banal money grubbing chimera. Hi I am Joey, I have a need for large amounts of money along with a phantasmagorical recollection of events that did not happen.

I am proud of my son who bullied many large companies to put himself on the payroll because they sought my favor.

I demand Taylor Swift kowtow to my needs of re election.

boatbuilder said...

Ahahahahahaha! Bummer.

Unlike most impeachments, this one is for actual, open, and destructive dereliction of duty in the face of a serious and dangerous crisis.

Bunkypotatohead said...

Impeachment is too good for him. He should be swinging from a lamp post. At the Mexican border, as a warning.

Old and slow said...

Joe Biden as The -alt- Mule. I did not see that coming. I loved the Foundation trilogy+. Asimov was a great thinker, though I think politics and issues of human freedom escaped him to a degree.

walter said...

"It's broken!"
Fix it by negating Remain in Mexico, cutting razor wire and callibg for a "surge".
MSM will say anything to avoid acknowledging Pedo Pete et al blowing up the border and sending "migrants" around the country at our expense.
Fuck them.
(Howie jumps into his float tannk)