In February 2024, the House impeached Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas by a 214-213 vote, making him just the second cabinet secretary ever impeached. The Senate dismissed both articles in April 2024, ruling they didn''t meet the constitutional standard of high crimes and misdemeanors. This became the first cabinet impeachment trial in nearly 150 years.
Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution establishes that the president, vice president, and all civil officers can be impeached for treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. The phrase "civil officers" has been interpreted to include cabinet members, federal judges, and other executive branch officials, but not members of Congress. Since 1789, Congress has impeached 21 federal officials, including three presidents and 15 judges. Only eight officials have been convicted and removed, all federal judges. Donald Trump remains the only officer impeached twice.