House Democrats release new report defending Mayorkas against GOP's "sham" impeachment effort

Washington — House Democrats released a report on Monday defending Defense Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas against an impeachment effort they call a "politically motivated sham" aimed at appeasing the far right. 

In their 29-page report, which comes ahead of a House Homeland Security Committee vote on a resolution to impeach the cabinet secretary set for Tuesday, Democrats on the committee argued that the impeachment effort is a "total waste of time," stating that it fails to outline any charge that constitutes treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors — the constitutional basis for impeachment. 

House Republicans released two articles of impeachment against Mayorkas on Sunday, accusing the secretary of "willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law" and a "breach of public trust." But the committee Democrats argue in their report that the impeachment articles fail to provide evidence to support the charges, and they say the effort more broadly has failed to grant due process to Mayorkas and to address "real challenges" at the borders.