Senate Republicans 'crossing fingers that evidence will not lead' to 'time-consuming' impeachments

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) had a lot on his plate when 2024 arrived, including a series of special elections, a shrinking majority, the threat of a partial government shutdown, and two possible impeachments of Democratic officials: President Joe Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Far-right MAGA Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives have been pushing for both Biden and Mayorkas to be impeached — Biden in connection with his son Hunter Biden's business activities, Mayorkas because of illegal immigration via the U.S./Mexico border. Being impeached, however, wouldn't necessarily result in Biden or Mayorkas being removed from their positions.

A conviction in a trial in the U.S. Senate would be necessary. Presidents Bill Clinton, Donald Trump and Andrew Johnson were all impeached in the House but acquitted in the Senate.

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In an article published by on January 24, The Messenger's Nolan D. McCaskill reports that there is "little enthusiasm" for "one impeachment trial, let alone two" among Senate Republicans.

Right-right Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) accused Mayorkas of "trying to accelerate illegal immigration." But Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming) clearly doesn't look forward to any possible impeachment trials.

Lummis told The Messenger, "This is a cynical thing to say, but I kind of hope that the evidence does not lead (House Republicans) to a place where they feel like they have to go through an impeachment. So, I'm kind of crossing my fingers that the evidence will not lead them there."

Sen. Todd Young (R-Indiana) described possible impeachment trials in the Senate as "highly contentious" and "time-consuming," telling The Messenger, "I have long spoken about my concern that snap impeachments would become the norm in this body."

READ MORE: 'Hungry for revenge': Republicans say Biden impeachment 'not good for the country'

Nor did Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) express any enthusiasm for possible impeachment trials.

Romney told The Messenger, "I haven't heard yet any evidence to suggest that there's been a constitutional standard met for impeachment. The inquiries underway, we'll see what they come up with. But so far, they've got nothing."