Online criticism of GOP reps opposing Mayorkas impeachment

After voting with Democrats against impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, a trio of House Republicans faced a barrage of criticism online, as the effort to impeach the border chief for his failure to stem the flow of illegal immigration passed the lower chamber by a one-vote margin Tuesday night.

Reps. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., Ken Buck, R-Colo., and Tom McClintock, R-Calif., sided with Democrats in opposing the effort to remove Mayorkas from office.

It is the first time a Cabinet secretary has been impeached by Congress since 1876.

The 214-213 vote came after Mayorkas survived an impeachment vote last week that saw every Democrat show up on Capitol Hill to support him, including Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, who left his hospital bed to vote. Green had reportedly been recovering from surgery.

The three Republicans who voted against Mayorkas’ impeachment on Tuesday have denounced his mishandling of the southern border but have expressed reservations about whether his conduct amounted to “high crimes and misdemeanors.”

The three GOP lawmakers came under fire on social media, with many users calling them “traitors” or “RINOs” (Republicans in Name Only).

In a post on X, Trending Politics Co-owner Collin Rugg identified Gallagher, Buck and McClintock and called on voters to “remember their names.”

Gen. Mike Flynn, who served as national security adviser under former President Donald Trump, wrote, “These three RINOs must be voted out of office! Mike Gallagher, Ken Buck, Tom McClintock.”

“3 Republicans voted against impeaching Mayorkas,” activist Laura Loomer said. “Mike Gallagher @RepGallagher, Tom McClintock @RepMcClintock, Ken Buck @RepKenBuck. They are traitors to our country. Gallagher and Buck are retiring. McClintock should be forced to resign in disgrace.”

The House Homeland Security Committee approved two articles of impeachment against Mayorkas, alleging that he “refused to comply with Federal immigration laws” and that he violated the “public trust.”

Pushing back, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said House Republicans “will be remembered by history for trampling on the Constitution for political gain rather than working to solve the serious challenges at our border.”

“While Secretary Mayorkas was helping a group of Republican and Democratic Senators develop bipartisan solutions to strengthen border security and get needed resources for enforcement, House Republicans have wasted months with this baseless, unconstitutional impeachment,” the spokesperson said.

“Without a shred of evidence or legitimate Constitutional grounds, and despite bipartisan opposition, House Republicans have falsely smeared a dedicated public servant who has spent more than 20 years enforcing our laws and serving our country,” the spokesperson added. “Secretary Mayorkas and the Department of
Homeland Security will continue working every day to keep Americans safe.”

The articles of impeachment head next to the Senate, where Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s office said Mayorkas’ impeachment trial is set to begin later this month.