Marjorie Taylor Greene Says Democrats Tricked Them After Losing Vote

Marjorie Taylor Greene accused Democrats of playing a "game" after they supposedly hid one of their members during a failed vote to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

She told reporters outside Congress on February 6 that "we can basically look at this like a game, unfortunately." She added: "They [Democrats] hid one of their members, waiting until the last minute watching the CR votes, trying to throw us off from the numbers we had versus the numbers they had… that was a strategy at play tonight."

The impeachment vote was brought forward by Republicans over Mayorkas' handling of the migrant crisis at the border, but failed despite a GOP majority in the House. Four Republicans broke ranks and voted against what would have been a historic impeachment of a Cabinet secretary, the first since 1876.

Newsweek has approached Greene's office for comment via email out of hours.

Before the impeachment vote, 427 members, including 211 Democrats, voted on whether to extend the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Commission Extension Act.

The vote passed 427-2 with just two non-voting members. Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green did not vote, nor did House majority leader Steve Scalise. Scalise did not vote for health reasons and was unable to vote during the impeachment proceedings on the House floor too.

Green's only vote on February 6 was to not impeach Mayorkas. He turned up to the House wearing hospital clothing after having abdominal surgery, returning there later that night.

The New York Times reported that Green had denied showing up to the House at a specific moment to dupe Republicans.

Newsweek approached Green's office for comment via email out of hours.

A total of 430 members therefore voted during the Mayorkas vote, with representatives Mike Gallagher, Blake Moore, Tom McClintock and Ken Buck all voting no on the GOP side.

Moore changed his vote in order for the GOP to bring up the resolution again.

Despite the failed vote, Greene maintained she was optimistic over impeaching Mayorkas.

In a post on X, she said that Moore "changed his vote [to] no when asked by leadership for procedural reasons to make a motion to reconsider so that we can vote on impeachment again next week."

Greene added: "We look forward to Leader Steve Scalise returning to vote yes and officially impeaching Secretary Mayorkas."

Democrats and some Republicans are questioning if Mayorkas' actions meet the high bar impeachment requires. Impeachment, according to the Constitution, is for "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."

The Senate website notes: "The definition of 'high Crimes and Misdemeanors' was not specified in the Constitution and has long been the subject of debate."

Following the impeachment vote, Buck told ABC News he voted no because he believed Mayorkas had "not committed a high crime or misdemeanor."

Republicans accused Mayorkas of a "willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law" and a "breach of public trust."