Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, known for his strong stance against the Chinese government, announced his retirement after facing backlash for refusing to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Gallagher was among the three Republicans who opposed Mayorkas’ impeachment, which fell short by just one vote. His opposition caused tension among fellow Republicans, leading to speculation about whether he would face a primary challenger in the elections.
The issue of record numbers of people arriving at the southern U.S. border has been a contentious one, with most Republicans aiming to punish the Biden administration by ousting Mayorkas. However, Gallagher’s refusal to support the impeachment was seen as a major setback for the GOP. Recently, he wrote an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, stating that impeachment wouldn’t solve the border crisis and could set a precedent against future Republican administrations. Despite this, Gallagher did not mention the impeachment vote in his retirement statement, saying that he does not want to grow old in Washington.
Gallagher, who was leading a House committee dedicated to countering China, framed the competition between the U.S. and China as an “existential struggle over what life will look like in the 21st century.” His decision to retire comes after abandoning a run for a U.S. Senate seat and focusing on countering China through the committee, signaling a significant change in the political landscape for the upcoming elections.
