Live updates: Alejandro Mayorkas impeachment trial in the Senate (2024)

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer made a motion to table or kill the first impeachment article against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas because "it does not allege conduct that rises to the level of a high crime or misdemeanor" as required in the Constitution.

The Senatewill vote soonto kill that first articlebut it remains to be seen if Republicans will try to delay the vote.

The Sergeant at Arms made the proclamation as the impeachment trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas begins.

House Republicans on Tuesday sent to the Senate two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas,a step that launched a trial in the Senate as GOP lawmakers seek to highlight President Joe Biden’s handling of immigration policy.

House Republicansvoted to impeachMayorkas in February over his handling of the southern border by a narrow margin after failing to do so on their first try. Republicans targeted Mayorkas as soon as they took control of the House last year, blaming the high number of border crossings on the Homeland Security secretary as the party faced pressure from its base to hold the Biden administration accountable on a key campaign issue.

When House Speaker Mike Johnson originally informed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer he would be sending the impeachment articles over to the Senate, he laid out why he believed a Mayorkas impeachment was justified.Johnson claimed Mayorkas directed department employees to violate US immigration laws and argued the administration’s use of parole authority was unlawful.

Multipleconstitutional experts, however, have said the evidence Republicans have put forward does not reach the high bar set by the US Constitution of high crimes and misdemeanors. Democrats haveargued that the impeachment proceedings have been politically motivated and meritless.

“I think that what the House Republicans are asserting is that Secretary Mayorkas is guilty of maladministration,” Ross Garber, a Tulane University law professor who has represented many Republican officeholders as both the prosecution and defense in impeachment cases, said. “At least as framed right now, the charges don’t rise to the level of a high crime or misdemeanor.”

Read more about the articles of impeachment.

Senators are being called up by the clerk in groups of four to present themselves at the desk and sign the oath book.

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the most senior Republican, is now administering the oath to the President Pro Tempore, Sen. Murray of Washington, the most senior Democrat.

Murray will then administer the oath to all of the senators in the chamber in conformance with Article I, section 3, clause 6 of the Constitution, and the Senate's impeachment rules.

Senators are convening for the impeachment trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Senators were requested to be at their desks at 1 p.m. ET and they are conducting a live quorum now to determine that everyone is there.

The trial should begin after the live quorum.

Here is what is expected on occur on the Senate floor when the impeachment trial convenes, according to information from the Democratic whip notice, as well as interviews with senators and staff from both parties.

Democrats could pass a motion to dismiss or table the articles on a simple majority vote as early as Wednesday. Senate Republicans are seeking to reach a time agreement with Democrats that would allow floor debate and for GOP senators to have votes on procedural motions. If a time agreement is not reached, it’s unclear clear how long the process will take as Republicans could attempt any number of procedural delays, although at some point the presiding officer could rule those efforts dilatory and cut them off.

CNN's Clare Foran, Annie Grayer and Morgan Rimmer contributed reporting to this post.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer pressed for the dismissal of charges against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Wednesday, sayingthe charges against Mayorkas are "nakedly partisan."

"We will be in our seats as jurors for the third time in four years. But this time, senators will provide as jurors in the least legitimate, least substantive and most politicized impeachment trial ever in the history of the United States," he said.

Schumer went on to say that the charges brought against Mayorkas failed to meet standard of high crimes and misdemeanors.

Before this speech, Schumer had not publicly said they would vote to dismiss the case, only saying they would deal with it "expeditiously."Although a quick dismissal has been anticipated for weeks. In response, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said it would be a mistake for Senators not to carry out their constitutional duties and have a full trial.

Conservative hardliners are fuming at House Speaker Mike Johnson decision's to move ahead with billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine — and are loudly warning him it could cost him his job.

An angry GOP Rep. Chip Roy railed against Johnson, saying he is “very disappointed” in the speaker, and he is “past the point of giving grace.”Pressed if Roy has confidence in Johnson, he said “it’s not good." Roy was spotted walking into Johnson’s office with GOP Rep. Thomas Massie and told said he needs "time for conversations."

Firebrand GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz called Johnson’s decision to move ahead with the foreign aid bills as tantamount to “surrender,” vowing to vote against the package and work hard to pressure others to not support the move."I won’t support it. I will encourage others that hold a similar view,” he said. Gaetz did not reply when asked if he still has confidence in the speaker.

Arizona conservative GOP Rep. Eli Crane echoed the frustration, and told CNN he is "disappointed" by Johnson’s decision, but "not surprised." He added, “It's completely detached from what our base wants what our what our voters want." He kept the door open to voting against the rule. Crane said it is not the right time to oust Johnson for fear of who the alternative could be.

Meanwhile, Democratic Rep. Don Davis said he would “definitely consider” saving Johnson. “if he is caught trying to help, doing right, why not?"Adding that it depends on what the package includes.Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said $9 billion in humanitarian aid to Gaza and other conflict zones around the globe is a key priority if Johnson wants Democrats’ support.

This all comes amid the upcoming Senate impeachment trial against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

CNN's Lauren Fox contributed reporting to this post.