20th September 2023 – (Washington) U.S. House Republicans are set to commence their first hearing next week as part of their impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, focusing on the alleged involvement of his family in overseas business ventures, particularly his son Hunter Biden. The hearing, scheduled for 28th September, aims to address constitutional and legal concerns surrounding these allegations, according to a spokesperson for the House Oversight Committee.
Led by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Republicans have recently argued that Biden’s actions during his tenure as vice president indicate a pervasive “culture of corruption.” In addition to the hearing, the committee plans to issue subpoenas for the personal and business bank records of Hunter Biden and the president’s brother, James Biden, as early as this week.
The White House has vehemently criticized the efforts of House Republicans, deeming them as “extreme politics at its worst,” particularly considering the timing amidst the ongoing presidential campaign. Ian Sams, a White House spokesman, emphasized that House Republicans have been investigating the president for nine months without finding any evidence of wrongdoing.
McCarthy’s announcement of the impeachment inquiry came under mounting pressure from his right flank, as he faced the risk of being ousted from his leadership position. Simultaneously, he is struggling to pass crucial legislation to avert a potential federal government shutdown by the end of the month.
Notably, McCarthy launched the inquiry without a House vote, and it remains uncertain whether he would garner enough support from his slim GOP majority to secure its approval. Some lawmakers have already expressed criticism, asserting that the evidence thus far does not meet the constitutional threshold of “high crimes and misdemeanours.”