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Marjorie Taylor Greene faced backlash from Democrat Rep. Seth Magaziner as Republicans edged closer to impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas
"I have to say it is pretty rich hearing the gentlewoman from Georgia express her concern about terrorism when she literally was selling 'defund the FBI' t-shirts and hats," Magaziner said during a House Homeland Security Committee meeting in which Greene asked a question about terrorism concerns arising from the border issue.
The meeting was called to process articles of impeachment against Mayorkas. The committee, majority Republican, moved to advance articles of impeachment against Mayorkas to a vote on the House floor.
Newsweek has approached Greene's office via email out of hours. Greene has previously called for the FBI to face defunding and the merchandise Magaziner was referring to remains available on her website.
Navy t-shirts and hats with "Defund the FBI" emblazoned in yellow on the front are available for $30 each. Greene's MTG initials are featured on the back of each product.
Later, Greene said on X: "Democrat Rep. Magaziner on Homeland just claimed that if we impeach Mayorkas 'we will open the floodgates for baseless political impeachments.'
"Obviously he was not on planet Earth for the TWO baseless political impeachments."
Greene, a MAGA politician, was referring to the two impeachments brought against former President Donald Trump.
Mayorkas Impeachment
The majority Republican committee voted 18-15 to move towards impeaching Mayorkas. They accuse him of a "violation of his oath to well and faithfully discharge the duties of his office," in regards to his handling of the southern border, as expressed by committee chair Rep. Mark Green the the beginning of the meeting.
Newsweek has approached Mayorkas' office for comment via an email to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Democrats have rallied around Mayorkas, questioning if his actions meets the high bar impeachment requires. Impeachment, according to the Constitution, is for "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."
The Senate website noted: "The definition of 'high Crimes and Misdemeanors' was not specified in the Constitution and has long been the subject of debate."
"House Republicans have produced no evidence that Secretary Mayorkas has broken the law," Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said on January 29.
When the committee met, Rep. Bennie Thompson said: "Neither of the impeachment charges the committee will consider today are a high crime or misdemeanor."
In a seven-page letter addressed to Greene, Mayorkas accused Republicans of "personal attacks."
Historical Precedent
No cabinet secretary has been impeached since William Belknap, the then-United States Secretary of War, since 1876.
Serving under the President Ulysses S. Grant, Belknap was known for "extravagant Washington parties," leading many to question how he could afford such luxuries, according to the Senate.
A House committee then "uncovered evidence supporting a pattern of corruption" in which Belknap had received cash from "wheeler-dealer" Caleb Marsh. Marsh paid Belknap thousands of dollars in regular payments after the latter's wife convinced him to "select one of Marsh's associates to operate the lucrative military trading post at Fort Sill in Indian territory."
A tearful Belknap handed in his resignation to President Grant, but the House continued the impeachment vote and it went the cabinet secretary.
The Senate trial that ensues spoke to over 40 witnesses and voted by a majority on all of the five articles brought to them by the House, but failed to convict Belknap by the two-thirds vote needed.
Update 01/31/24 2:14 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
About the writer
Benjamin Lynch is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is U.S. politics and national affairs and he ... Read more