GOP Accuses Biden of Impeachable Offenses, But Impeachment Vote Unlikely 

Chair Jim Jordan. Credit | Politico
Chair Jim Jordan. Credit | Politico

United States: House Republican investigators have accused President Joe Biden of engaging in conduct they consider “impeachable,” as detailed in a 291-page report released by the Oversight, Judiciary, and Ways and Means committees. Despite this, it remains unlikely that the party will secure the necessary votes to move forward with impeachment, a challenge that has persisted for months. 

The report, which comes eight months after the formal impeachment inquiry was launched, centers primarily on the business dealings of Biden’s family members. Investigations into these matters began informally when Republicans gained control of the House in January 2023. The committees accuse Biden of two offenses they believe meet the criteria for impeachment: abuse of power and obstruction. These are the same charges cited by House Democrats during the 2019 impeachment of then-President Donald Trump, a comparison frequently highlighted in the GOP report, according to Politico.  

The report states that the Constitution provides impeachment as the remedy for a president’s misuse of office, urging the House to consider appropriate next steps. While Republicans noted that their inquiry is ongoing, the report may signal a de facto conclusion to the impeachment efforts. Leading investigators have indicated that their probes are largely complete, with some Judiciary Committee members advocating for public hearings on the matter. However, Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) has not committed to this, suggesting that the decision rests with the broader Republican conference. 

U.S. President Joe Biden. Credit | Reuters
U.S. President Joe Biden. Credit | Reuters

A failure to hold an impeachment vote would be unusual in modern history, where all formal presidential impeachment inquiries have led to such votes, with the exception of Richard Nixon, who resigned before a vote could take place. This could also alienate the party’s base, which has been pushing for a swift impeachment of Biden, though attention has recently shifted toward Vice President Kamala Harris. 

Republicans have long faced the reality of being significantly short of the votes needed to impeach Biden. Speaker Mike Johnson, in a statement, praised the committees for their work but did not indicate any immediate plans to advance the impeachment process. He encouraged the public to read the report. 

Democrats quickly claimed a political victory following the report’s release, criticizing the GOP’s efforts as a costly and baseless pursuit that ultimately yielded no substantial evidence against Biden. White House spokesperson Sharon Yang dismissed the investigation as an “embarrassment” for Republicans. 

The GOP investigation has largely focused on the financial activities of Hunter and James Biden, as well as Joe Biden’s handling of classified documents and the federal investigation into his son. Republicans claim to have traced $27 million in payments to Biden family members and associates from foreign entities. They also scrutinized “loans” received by Hunter and James Biden, arguing that these financial benefits were likely linked to Joe Biden’s political position. However, Joe Biden and his family members have consistently denied any involvement in business deals, as reported by Politico.  

The obstruction charge centers on accusations that the Biden administration hindered the federal investigation into Hunter Biden. IRS whistleblowers have claimed that Biden officials interfered, though these allegations have been denied by Attorney General Merrick Garland and special counsel David Weiss. Republicans have also pursued legal action to obtain recordings of Joe Biden’s interview with former special counsel Robert Hur rather than just the transcripts. 

Despite these efforts, Republicans have struggled to produce definitive evidence linking Joe Biden to any criminal activity, a factor that has led to skepticism within their ranks about the viability of impeachment. Some Republican lawmakers have argued that stronger evidence is necessary to garner the support needed for impeachment. 

Reportedly, Democrats, as well as some Republicans, have scrutinized the impeachment efforts, viewing the investigation as ultimately exonerating Joe Biden. House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) defended the inquiry, stating that the primary goal was to follow the financial trail rather than pursue impeachment itself. Jim Jordan also tied the report’s release to the Democratic convention in Chicago, framing it as a reminder of the “crime, chaos, and corruption” of the Biden-Harris administration.