Book Offer
This will close in 10 seconds
The US House of Representatives is set to open a “formal impeachment inquiry” into President Joe Biden, Speaker Kevin McCarthy has said.
McCarthy – who is the most senior Republican in the House – said on Tuesday at the US Capitol that the inquiry would focus on “allegations of abuse of power, obstruction, and corruption” from Biden.
NOW – Speaker of the U.S. House Kevin McCarthy announces a formal impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden. pic.twitter.com/SfuKltLnpM
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) September 12, 2023
House Republicans have been investigating President Biden’s alleged ties to his son Hunter Biden’s foreign business dealings, which many have claimed are questionable.
According to McCarthy, during the August recess, House Republicans discovered “serious and credible allegations into President Biden’s conduct.”
“Taken together, these allegations paint a picture of a culture of corruption,” he said.
McCarthy said that the move was taken in an effort to get “answers.”
“This logical next step will give our committees the full power to gather the full facts and answers for the American public,” he said.
“That’s exactly what we want to know – the answers. I believe the president would want to answer these questions and allegations as well.”
He added: “I do not make this decision lightly. Regardless of your party, or who you voted for, these facts concern all Americans.”
The President’s son Hunter has found himself at the centre of controversy for several years, as some have raised questions about his business and family relationships.
In 2014, Hunter joined the board of a Ukrainian gas company, Burisma Holdings, where he was paid as much as $1.2m per year. During this time, his father was Vice President of the US.
This has proved controversial, as Joe Biden was considered the Obama administration’s “point man for US-Ukraine relations,” as reported by BBC News.
The BBC adds: “As part of an anti-corruption drive, Vice-President Biden was at the time rallying for the ouster of the country’s top prosecutor, Viktor Shokin. Mr Shokin was removed by parliament in 2016, but critics argue the prosecutor only lost his job because he was investigating Burisma.”
Similarly, Hunter Biden took a founding board seat the Chinese equity company BHR, going on to to own 10% equity stake. The company was registered in Shanghai less than two weeks after Hunter and Joe Biden flew on an official trip to China, and met with BHR’s chief executive.
All of this and more has led some to accuse Hunter Biden of “influence peddling,” allegedly using his father’s office of Vice President to his own personal business advantage. The Bidens deny these claims.
However, White House spokesperson Ian Sams rebuffed the McCarthy’s announcement.
House Republicans have been investigating the President for 9 months, and they've turned up no evidence of wrongdoing
His own GOP members have said so
He vowed to hold a vote to open impeachment, now he flip flopped because he doesn't have support
Extreme politics at its worst
— Ian Sams (@IanSams46) September 12, 2023
“House Republicans have been investigating the President for 9 months, and they’ve turned up no evidence of wrongdoing,” he said.
“His own GOP members have said so. He vowed to hold a vote to open impeachment, now he flip flopped because he doesn’t have support. Extreme politics at its worst.”
This will close in 10 seconds