Michigan Republican Lawmaker Introduces Articles of Impeachment Against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson
A Republican state representative in Michigan, Jim DeSana, has initiated articles of impeachment against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat. The move comes amidst accusations of Benson overstepping her authority, failing to ensure secure elections, and lacking transparency in her role.
DeSana emphasized the importance of holding Benson accountable, stating, “Her job is to run the Secretary of State’s office and to run elections. We make the law that determines what is the authority over the election. She cannot make that law.”
One of the grievances outlined in the impeachment resolution is Benson’s decision to speak to reporters inside a state office building while announcing her gubernatorial campaign. The Michigan Attorney General’s Office raised concerns about potential campaign finance law violations but was unable to take further action.
Benson defended her actions, stating that other candidates were also allowed to use the lobby. The resolution also criticizes Benson’s handling of the 2020 presidential election, despite numerous audits confirming President Trump’s loss to President Biden.
In response to the impeachment threat, Benson condemned the move, labeling it as an abuse of authority by Republican lawmakers. She expressed concerns about sensitive election information being accessed and potentially misused. Benson called for collaboration with Speaker Hall and a judicial mediator to resolve the issue.
House Republicans had previously censured Benson for not fully complying with records requests from the House Oversight Committee. While efforts are being made to enforce the subpoena against Benson, Democratic leaders view the situation as a distraction from crucial matters like passing a new state budget.
House Speaker Matt Hall’s spokesperson, Gideon D’Assandro, mentioned ongoing efforts to hold Benson’s department accountable for its alleged failures. However, Democratic Minority Leader Ranjeev Puri stressed the need to focus on significant issues facing the state, such as upcoming federal government initiatives and budget considerations.
