'We need some sanity': Swing-district Republicans balk at new MAGA plan to defund Merrick Garland
July 10, 2023
Republicans in the House of Representatives are concocting a new plan to take on Biden administration officials: Namely, cutting their salaries to $0.
Politico's Playbook reports that Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) has embraced the plan as a potential alternative to impeaching the administration officials, which he doesn't think is appropriate given a lack of evidence that they have committed crimes.
"If we’ve got a problem, a policy difference — not high crimes and misdemeanors — with [Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro] Mayorkas, the proper procedure is to cut his salary in the appropriations process," Buck told Politico.
In addition to Mayorkas, the House Republicans also have their eyes set on going after the salary of Attorney General Merrick Garland and even Trump-appointed FBI Director Christopher Wray.
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However, some Republicans representing swing districts are balking at the moves and worrying about what precedent they will set for future administrations.
"Let’s say Ron DeSantis happens to be the next president, and now [Democrats] will be cutting off his Cabinet because they don’t like his policies,” said one swing-district Republican. “This keeps getting worse. We need some sanity.”
Even if the plan to defund Garland and other officials passes the House, it will be dead on arrival in the Democratic-led United States Senate.