Staff Reports
In a recent vote to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Republican Congressman Mike Gallagher found himself on the wrong side of the aisle. And now, he may face the consequences of his decision.
Gallagher, along with three other Republican representatives, voted with the Democrats against the impeachment of Mayorkas. This move has angered many conservatives, including Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA, who took to social media to express his displeasure. Kirk went so far as to call for a primary challenge against Gallagher, saying, “Mike Gallagher’s political career should be over.”
Mike Gallagher's political career should be over. We will work with the patriots in Wisconsin's 8th district to primary him. Just like Lankford, we have no room for these people who cover for traitors like Mayorkas.
Call and politely let him know:
Mike Gallagher – (202) 225-5665— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) February 7, 2024
Gallagher defended his vote by stating that Mayorkas has faithfully implemented President Biden’s open border policies, which, in his opinion, have created a dangerous crisis at the southern border. However, he did acknowledge that the proponents of impeachment failed to make a compelling argument for why Mayorkas should be impeached.
Despite his rationale, Gallagher’s decision has sparked outrage among conservatives, many of whom vented their frustrations on social media. In an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, Gallagher explained his stance, arguing that Mayorkas’ incompetence does not meet the threshold for impeachment outlined by Republicans.
Furthermore, Gallagher cautioned against setting a dangerous precedent by impeaching Mayorkas, as it could be used against future Republican administrations. He urged his fellow Republicans to learn from the mistakes made during the impeachment efforts against former President Donald Trump and reject the “Pelosi precedent.”
Gallagher’s vote against impeachment may have won him favor with Democrats and some moderates, but it has clearly alienated many within his own party. Whether or not this will ultimately lead to a primary challenge remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Gallagher’s decision has not gone unnoticed or without consequence.
