House Greenlights Biden Impeachment Inquiry; GOP Seeks Offense

House Formally Initiates Biden Impeachment Inquiry

On Wednesday, the House voted to launch a formal impeachment inquiry into President Biden, moving ahead with a yearlong G.O.P. inquiry that has yet to uncover evidence of major misconduct. The Republicans claim this vote is essential to continue their investigation amidst expected legal challenges from the White House. Democrats, however, label the inquiry as a political stunt and a fishing expedition.

Former Speaker, Kevin McCarthy, announced the impeachment inquiry unilaterally in September due to pressure from the far right. The vote to proceed with the inquiry showed a shift in political ground, with Republicans standing unified behind the inquiry, despite some stating they were not ready to charge the president. The vote was along party lines, 221 to 212, with all Republicans voting in favor and all Democrats against.

President Biden criticized Republicans for attacking him with lies rather than focusing on improving the lives of Americans. Representative Tom Cole, Republican of Oklahoma, described the vote as a procedural step to strengthen the House’s investigatory powers.

Hunter Biden Ignored Subpoena

Hours before the vote, Hunter Biden, the president’s son and primary target of the Republican investigation, defied a subpoena to testify in a private deposition. Instead, he offered to testify publicly to avoid selective leaks from his testimony that might distort the truth.

The Republicans want to question Hunter Biden over his business dealings in Ukraine, China, and other countries in an attempt to portray him as corrupt and connect him to his father. Hunter Biden reiterated that his father had no financial involvement in his businesses.

Republicans Pursuing Contempt Proceedings

Republican leaders of the impeachment inquiry, including Representative James R. Comer of Kentucky, and Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio, threatened to hold Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress if he did not comply with demands for private testimony. The Republican inquiry is focusing on Hunter Biden, who is under indictment on federal tax and gun charges, and his work for overseas companies and partners.

Resolution Doesn’t Accuse Biden of Misconduct

The impeachment inquiry resolution doesn’t accuse President Biden of any wrongdoing but allows three Republican-led panels to continue their investigations. Republicans are trying to prove that President Biden profited from his son’s business dealings, which documents so far have contradicted.

The House Oversight Committee released documents showing payments from one of Hunter Biden’s businesses to Joseph R. Biden Jr. that Republicans claim are evidence of corruption. However, other documents indicate the money was for repayment of a loan for a truck.

Republicans Seek Testimony from Additional Witnesses

Republicans are planning to call in nine more witnesses for questioning within two months. They are investigating if President Biden had taken a bribe, abused his power, conducted other misconduct, or obstructed their investigation. They suggest that inaccurate statements the president made about his son’s business interests could be considered obstruction.

Hunter Biden accused Republicans of invading his privacy, ridiculing him, and dehumanizing him all to tarnish his father, who he believes has dedicated his life to public service.

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