New escalation in the election campaign: McCarthy wants to have Biden thrown out of office.
(Photo: AP)
Washington The Republican leader of the US House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, has initiated investigations into possible impeachment proceedings against President Joe Biden. There are credible allegations that Biden was involved in his son’s illegal business, McCarthy said on Tuesday in Washington.
“These are allegations of abuse of power, cover-up and corruption and they warrant further investigation,” McCarthy said. “That’s why today I’m directing our House committee to begin a formal impeachment investigation of Joe Biden.”
Republicans in the House of Representatives are investigating Hunter Biden’s business activities, but have so far found no evidence of a connection between him and the president. They only point to instances during Joe Biden’s time as Barack Obama’s vice president in which he spoke on the phone with his son and attended dinners that Hunter Biden hosted with business partners.
However, the president has not been proven to have committed any wrongdoing. The chairman of the standing committee, Republican James Comer, requested additional documents on Tuesday.
For McCarthy, this step is a change of strategy; previously he had always said that he would only start investigations after a formal vote in the House of Representatives. However, it is questionable whether impeachment proceedings could be opened in a further step after the investigation.
Democrats accuse McCarthy of political motives
Biden’s Democrats see the plan as an attempt by Republicans to distract the public from Trump’s legal problems. He is facing four criminal charges.
McCarthy is also under pressure from the right wing of his party to take tougher action against Biden. Biden defeated Trump in 2020 and is seeking re-election next year. There he could meet Trump again.
The other chamber of Congress, the Senate, would have to decide on a possible impeachment of the President anyway. Biden’s Democrats have a narrow majority there. The possibility that the president could ultimately be found guilty and removed from office has so far been ruled out.
“McCarthy should not give in to the extreme, far-right lawmakers who are threatening to shut down the government unless they secure a baseless, evidence-free impeachment against President Biden. The consequences for the American people are too serious,” said spokesman Ian Sams.
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