On Tuesday, February 6, 2024, the House of Representatives narrowly rejected a Republican-led impeachment move against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for his handling of the US-Mexico border issue.
The result was 216 to 214, with four Republicans breaking ranks and supporting the Democrats.
Who is Ken Buck?
Ken Buck, a Republican from Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, was among them. Buck is a lawyer and former district attorney who has served in Congress since 2015. He is also a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus and the former chairman of the Colorado Republican Party.
Buck has been an outspoken critic of Mayorkas’ and the Biden administration’s immigration policy, accusing them of causing a humanitarian and national security crisis at the border. He has also backed former President Donald Trump’s plans to construct a border wall and limit legal immigration.
However, Buck maintained that impeaching Mayorkas was not the best approach to address the border issue. He argued that impeachment should be reserved for grave crimes and misdemeanors, not policy disagreements or incompetence. He wrote in an opinion column on The Hill that “maladministration or incompetence does not rise to what our founders considered an impeachable offense.”
“To be clear, Secretary Mayorkas has completely failed at his job. He is incompetent. He is an embarrassment. And he will most likely be remembered as the worst secretary of Homeland Security in the history of the United States,” he added.
Buck also voiced fear that impeaching Mayorkas would create a dangerous precedent and weaken the separation of powers. He said that Congress should use its oversight and legislative ability to hold the executive branch accountable and enact reforms.
‘I’m here to do what I think is right’: Ken Buck
Ken Buck’s history of defying party norms and forging his path
Buck’s vote against impeachment was not the first time he disagreed with his party’s leadership or disregarded the expectations of his conservative base. He has also taken various independent or bipartisan opinions on subjects such as antitrust, criminal justice, and international relations.
Buck, for example, has been a key Republican voice in advocating for stricter antitrust action against major technology giants such as Google, Facebook, and Amazon. He has co-sponsored multiple proposals with Democrats to limit the market strength and influence of these platforms.
Buck has also advocated for criminal justice reforms, such as cutting mandatory minimum penalties and expanding drug treatment programs. He co-sponsored legislation with Democrats to repeal the federal prohibition on marijuana and enable states to control it.
Buck has criticized some of Trump’s foreign policy actions, including his withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and the Paris Climate Agreement. He also criticized Trump’s veto of a defense bill that contained sanctions against Turkey for purchasing a Russian missile system.
Buck has stated that he is not afraid to speak up to his party or the president when he believes they are incorrect. He has also stated that he has no interest in running for higher office or gaining fame. He said in an interview with The Denver Post “I’m not here to make friends. I’m here to do what I think is right.”