Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) has filed articles of impeachment against Vice President Kamala Harris, as Republicans intensify their attacks amid her presidential campaign launch, according to The Mirror. This new filing expands on previously introduced articles targeting Harris’s record on immigration, a critical issue for the GOP.
The initial articles, introduced on June 12, 2023, accused Harris of demonstrating “extraordinary incompetence in the execution of her duties and responsibilities,” particularly highlighting her handling of immigration. The articles criticized her for a “stark refusal to uphold the existing immigration laws” and an “indifference to people of the United States suffering as a result of the ongoing southern border crisis., told Fox News.
In the updated filing, Ogles added a second article claiming Harris has covered up President Biden’s mental well-being, which he argues constitutes a “breach of public trust.” Despite Biden ending his reelection campaign on Monday, he has insisted that he will complete his term and remains in good health.
“Kamala Devi Harris has knowingly misled the people of the United States and the Congress of the United States, principally to obfuscate the physical and cognitive well-being of the President of the United States, Joe Biden,” the new filing reads.
Harris, often referred to as the “border czar,” an unofficial title assigned by the media early in the Biden administration, was tasked with leading diplomatic efforts with Central American countries to curb illegal immigration. The filing references this role, listing crimes allegedly committed by immigrants in the U.S. illegally, including the death of student Laken Riley, which have been highlighted by Republicans. It also cites recent border crossing statistics.
“In all of this, Kamala Devi Harris willfully and systematically refused to uphold the immigration laws, failed to control the border to the detriment of national security, compromised public safety, and violated the rule of law, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States,” the articles read.
Despite these allegations, the initial filing has not progressed beyond its introduction. It is worth noting that arrests at the U.S.-Mexico border reached their lowest point of Biden’s presidency in June, falling to 83,000 arrests, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
On the same day as the filing, Ogles called on Harris to invoke the 25th Amendment against Biden, citing concerns about his health. If invoked, this would make Harris the acting president.
This move mirrors past efforts by Republicans to impeach key figures in the Biden administration. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was impeached in the House over similar claims regarding immigration policy in February, but the articles were dismissed by the Senate. Additionally, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) filed articles of impeachment against Harris in 2021 concerning the U.S. withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, which were never considered by the Judiciary Committee.
As these impeachment efforts unfold, they reflect the broader political strategies and tensions in Washington, particularly surrounding immigration and executive accountability.