A new report from Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives claims that Democratic President Joe Biden has committed impeachable offenses. However, it remains unclear whether they will attempt to push for a vote following an investigation that the House has long dismissed as politically motivated.
The 291-page report, prepared by three committees of the House of Representatives, asserts that Biden has benefited from influence peddling intended to enrich himself and his family through foreign business dealings that date back to 2014, when Biden was Vice President.
Jim Jordan, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, stated that the investigation “conclusively” shows that Biden has “abused his public office for private economic benefit for the Biden family and Biden’s business partners.” James Comer, Chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, remarked, “President Biden’s legacy is marked by abuse of public office, corruption, and obstruction. The evidence from our impeachment inquiry constitutes the strongest case for the impeachment of a sitting president that the House of Representatives has ever investigated.”
However, the report, which was released on Monday, does not allege any criminal activity on the president’s part after he decided not to run for re-election last month. The report addresses well-known topics, claiming that Biden’s family has exploited their “brand” in business activities in corrupt ways that allegedly meet the high bar for impeachment according to the U.S. Constitution.
For years, Republicans have sought to cast Biden’s son, Hunter, in a negative light, including his foreign connections and struggles as a former substance abuser. According to the report, the family and its associates have received approximately $27 million in business payments from partners or clients in Russia, China, and other countries. Additionally, the report claims that $8 million in loans were extended, including some from Hunter’s benefactor, Hollywood lawyer Kevin Morris, along with questions regarding the purchase of Hunter’s artwork.
The report concludes that it is “unacceptable” for President Biden to have remained unaware of these circumstances. “President Biden participated in a conspiracy to monetize his public office to enrich his family,” the report states.
Biden, who is expected to deliver a farewell address at the Democratic National Convention and pass the political torch to his Vice President Kamala Harris, has repeatedly denied helping his son’s business ventures, including in Ukraine and China. The White House has dismissed the impeachment inquiry as a “stunt” and urged House Republicans to “move on.”
Many view the Republicans’ report as a vendetta following the two impeachment proceedings against former President Donald Trump. Trump, who survived both Senate trials, is a presidential candidate for the third time and will face Harris in the election on November 5.
Although President Biden is no longer running for re-election, the next steps remain uncertain. House Republicans have not garnered enough support within their ranks to impeach the president, and removal from the Senate, which is controlled by Democrats with assistance from a couple of independent members, seems even more unlikely. Many Republicans now prefer to shift their focus to Harris, even though she is not mentioned in Monday’s report. The same committees conducting this investigation have begun to open new inquiries related to her and her vice presidential candidate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.