Republicans in the US House of Republican Representatives are toiling away on an investigation to potentially impeach President Joe Biden. On Wednesday, they officially formalized this inquiry with a majority vote, hoping the move would provide them with additional legal leverage. Biden, not one to hold back, criticized the Republicans, stating, "Instead of doing something to improve the lives of Americans, they are focusing on attacking me with lies."
At present, there's no concrete evidence against Biden, with some Republicans accusing him and his family of misusing his public office for personal financial gain. However, these accusations remain unsubstantiated. In response to the investigation, Biden took a swipe at the Republicans, questioning their motivation and arguing they should be focusing on pressing issues, such as Ukraine aid approval.
The House voted 221-212 in favor of the inquiry, with the Democrats opposing it unanimously. Initiated by former Chairman Kevin McCarthy in September, the investigation has faced opposition due to the concerns of moderate Republicans. The latest vote provides the investigation with a stronger foundation and, according to Republicans, a necessary legal basis.
Republicans argue that they require additional legal leverage to draw out documents and issue subpoenas. While some documents have been handed over already, Republicans claim that the current depositions do not suffice. New Chairman Mike Johnson, defending the right-wing of his party, gave in to their demands and officially sanctioned the investigation.
But the path to actual impeachment proceedings remains uncertain. To commence impeachment, a majority in the House of Representatives is required. Although Republicans hold a slim majority, several moderate Republicans have expressed skepticism about the plan. A potential shift in stance on impeachment proceedings is a legitimate concern, especially as they might shun the idea altogether after considering politics and public opinion.
The possibility of impeachment progressing to the Senate—where Democrats hold a narrow majority—is also slim. Even if the President were found guilty, his removal remains a challenging task with only a two-thirds majority required to oust him. For now, the prospects of President Biden's removal remain minimal, according to political analysts.
Rumors persist of a connection between Biden and his son Hunter's business dealings. Hunter Biden was invited to appear before the House to testify in a public hearing regarding the impeachment investigation. While Republicans had previously subpoenaed him to testify behind closed doors, he refused, citing strategic reasons. In his statement, Hunter emphasized that his father was not financially involved in his business dealings.
Former President Donald Trump called on his party colleagues to initiate impeachment proceedings against Biden. Following two impeachment proceedings during his term, Trump was acquitted in both cases while the majority in the Senate was still in his favor. Now, Biden and Trump face an election campaign for their respective parties in the upcoming years. Trump is currently facing charges related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.
