House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R–Bakersfield) announced Tuesday that he is directing House committees to open a formal impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.
Biden’s impeachment inquiry is over his family’s international business dealings, notably through his son Hunter Biden.
Driving the news: House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer will lead the inquiry, along with Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim JOrdan and Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith.
- While McCarthy is directing committees to open an inquiry, it is not a full House vote to open an impeachment inquiry. That could still happen at a later date.
- McCarthy summarized the allegations against Biden, pointing to eyewitnesses testifying that Biden joined multiple phone calls and had multiple interactions and dinners involving Hunter Biden’s business dealings that brought millions of dollars to the family.
- Nearly $20 million in payments were directed to Biden family members and associates, according to bank records.
- The Treasury Department also has over 150 transactions involving the Biden family and business associates that were flagged for suspicious activity by U.S. banks.
- The allegations also center on Hunter Biden’s role in Ukrainian energy company Burisma.
- Ultimately the House will investigate allegations of abuse of power, obstruction and corruption, McCarthy said.
What they’re saying: “In recent months, House Republicans have uncovered serious and credible allegations into President Biden’s conduct,” McCarthy said. “Taken together, these allegations paint a picture of a culture of corruption.”
- McCarthy also accused the Biden administration of offering special treatment to the Biden family that they would not have received if he was not president.
- “The American people deserve to know that public offices are not for sale, and that the federal government is not being used to cover up the actions of a politically-associated family,” McCarthy said.
