Senate Democrats on April 17 voted to dismiss two impeachment articles against Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, less than three hours after his impeachment trial began.
The dismissals, made in party-line votes, came after vocal objections by Senate Republicans who said not allowing the impeachment to go to a full trial flouted the Constitution and long-held precedent. It is the first time in history the upper chamber has moved to dispose of a trial before allowing the impeachment articles to be heard and votes on whether to convict or acquit.
