In a surprising twist within the U.S. House of Representatives, the impeachment effort against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over the handling of the U.S.-Mexico border crisis was thwarted on Tuesday, February 6, 2024.
The narrow defeat, with a vote tally of 216 to 214, showcased the Republican party’s internal divisions, particularly through the actions of four Republicans who broke ranks to side with Democrats.
Among these dissenting voices was Ken Buck, a representative from Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, whose decision has spotlighted his career and stance on the current political climate.
Ken Buck, a lawyer by training and a former district attorney, has been serving in Congress since 2015. A member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus and the former chair of the Colorado Republican Party, Buck has not shied away from expressing his criticisms of the Biden administration’s immigration policies.
He has labeled them as the catalyst for a humanitarian and national security disaster at the border, supporting measures such as former President Donald Trump’s border wall and restrictions on legal immigration.
Despite his criticisms, Buck has stood firm in his belief that impeachment is not the appropriate method to address policy disagreements or incompetence. In a poignant opinion column for The Hill, Buck articulated his perspective that “maladministration or incompetence does not rise to what our founders considered an impeachable offense.”
He acknowledged Mayorkas’ shortcomings but warned against setting a dangerous precedent that could potentially erode the separation of powers, advocating instead for Congress to exercise its oversight and legislative powers as a means of accountability and reform.
Buck’s stance against the impeachment of Mayorkas is emblematic of his broader approach to governance. He has often diverged from his party’s line, taking independent or bipartisan positions on a range of issues from antitrust laws to criminal justice reform, and even foreign policy.
Notably, Buck has emerged as a leading Republican advocate for stronger antitrust enforcement against major tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Amazon, collaborating with Democrats on legislation aimed at curbing their market dominance.
His support for criminal justice reforms, including efforts to reduce mandatory minimum sentences and to end the federal prohibition of marijuana, underscores his commitment to bipartisan cooperation. Additionally, Buck has not hesitated to critique decisions made by former President Trump, particularly those related to foreign policy, demonstrating his willingness to prioritize principles over party loyalty.
Buck’s principled stand, especially visible in his vote against the impeachment of Secretary Mayorkas, underscores a political integrity that seems increasingly rare in today’s polarized environment. He has voiced his dedication to doing what he believes is right, rather than what might be politically expedient or popular, stating, “I’m not here to make friends. I’m here to do what I think is right.”
This approach not only defines Buck’s career but also serves as a reminder of the complexities within political parties, where individual convictions can sometimes transcend party boundaries, fostering dialogue and debate on the most pressing issues facing the nation.