Glacier Country News

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Congressman Ryan Zinke, Co-Chair of the Northern Border Security Caucus, voted in favor of impeaching Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, for willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law in enforcing border policy and a breach of public trust. The measure failed by a tie vote.

In a passionate speech on the House Floor, Zinke held Mayorkas accountable for the recent increase in arrests, fentanyl busts, and human trafficking incidents in the three Montana counties bordering Canada and the rest of the country. Zinke stated, "The evidence is found in every fentanyl pill, and death. The evidence is found in every woman that's raped along our border. The evidence is found in every child trafficking case. It is in every city including Billings, Missoula, Chicago, and Washington D.C.. It's found in every instance of children being sex trafficked."

Zinke emphasized the negligence and blind eye turned towards the crisis at the southern border, stating, "Our Northern border wall, which is not discussed a lot, is wide open. This country doesn't have a border, and in Montana, this administration can't even prevent a balloon." He concluded his speech by asserting that the lack of action and willingness to do nothing is deserving of no less than impeachment.

The Biden/Mayorkas Administration's open border policies, enforced by executive orders, have resulted in the largest border crisis in the history of the United States. Since Biden and Mayorkas took office, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) has recorded 8.7 million illegal immigrants crossing the border. In December alone, more than three times the population of Montana illegally crossed the border into the United States. CBP also seized enough fentanyl for roughly 260 million lethal doses.

Zinke's support for the impeachment of Secretary Mayorkas is not new. Last February, shortly after returning to Congress, Zinke signed on to legislation calling for Mayorkas' impeachment. Additionally, in June, Zinke voted for H.R. 2, the most comprehensive border security bill in decades.

The situation at the southern border remains dire, with nearly 250,000 illegal apprehensions recorded by U.S. agents in December 2023. Furthermore, Customs and Border Protection statistics reveal that nearly 500 people on the terrorist watch list were apprehended at the northern border from October 2022 to September.

Zinke's vote and impassioned speech reflect growing concerns over the enforcement of border policies and the need for accountability within the Department of Homeland Security. The failed impeachment measure highlights the ongoing debate surrounding border security and the actions necessary to address the crisis effectively.