The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) retained the services of an outside law firm known as Debevoise & Plimpton. This is meant to provide assistance in the event that Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is subject to impeachment proceedings.
These proceedings could be brought about by House Republicans in response to his management of the southern border.
Statements
In a statement released on Friday, a spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the agency hired outside counsel to assist in ensuring the department is not disrupted by the unparalleled, unwarranted, and partisan impeachment initiatives by some Congress members.
“The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will continue to give its work in protecting our nation from terrorist attacks, responding to natural catastrophes, and securing our borders.”
“At the same time, it will react adequately to the over 70 congressional subcommittees and committees that have supervision of DHS.”
FOX News has confirmed that the Department of Homeland Security is bringing on a private law firm, Debevoise & Plimpton, to help with potential impeachment proceedings against Secretary Mayorkas, first reported by CNN.
A DHS Spokesperson tells FOX: pic.twitter.com/ErWgJ6EIxt— Pat Ward (@WardDPatrick) February 10, 2023
According to a statement made to CBS News by a DHS official, the agency has engaged the company to perform contractual labor for the duration of the congressional investigation.
The firm of Debevoise & Plimpton was picked because of its experience in impeachment cases and its history of working together with Congress on oversight matters.
Recently, the Department of Justice provided guidance indicating that the contract with Debevoise constitutes a permissible expenditure for the Department of Homeland Security.
DHS is taking precautions to guarantee its purpose will not be jeopardized by partisan assaults and that the procedures against Mayorkas will be managed by those who possess the requisite level of skill.
The department entered into a contract with New York-based law firm Debevoise & Plimpton to represent Mayorkas in impeachment-related matters, in his official capacity, according to a #DHS official who spoke on the condition of anonymity. https://t.co/pI8v2y4MeS
— Roll Call (@rollcall) February 10, 2023
Conformity and Cooperation
At this moment, DHS secretary Mayorkas has not made any comments in response to this new information.
In spite of that, on Thursday, when he was questioned by media about the impeachment investigation, Mayorkas stated that he and his staff will work with this Congress.
He also went on record to say they will do just as they did with the previous Congress. He stated that in his opinion, that falls under his sphere of duty.
The DHS secretary also admitted, “it will take time” to conform with the probe being conducted by the House.
He stated that he would invest that time, as would others, and that they will not compromise the amount of time they choose to spend working toward accomplishing their goal.
A senior official with the Department of Homeland Security verified that Mayorkas has still not met with his new independent counsel.
Impeachment proceedings have only ever been brought against one member of the cabinet: Secretary of War William Belknap.
In 1876, while serving in President Ulysses S. Grant’s administration, Belknap was suspected of receiving bribes, but was ultimately exonerated by the Senate of any wrongdoing in the matter.
