Biden Dismisses House Impeachment Inquiry, Asserts Republicans Aim to Halt Government Operations

Late on Wednesday, President Joe Biden downplayed the impeachment inquiry initiated by House Republicans, stating that he believes their primary objective is to bring about a federal government shutdown.

Addressing a Democratic fundraiser in Virginia, Biden said that rather than being preoccupied with the ongoing investigation, he is directing his attention towards the issues that matter most to the American public.

This was Biden’s first public statement following the announcement made by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy regarding the initiation of an impeachment inquiry into Biden. Concurrently, McCarthy is grappling with the challenge of securing votes to finance the federal government and avoid a shutdown.

“The underlying motive, as far as I can discern, for them wanting to impeach me is their desire to halt the operations of the federal government,” Biden asserted.

Biden also mentioned Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., a prominent supporter of his main political adversary looking ahead to the 2024 elections, Donald Trump. “Upon her election, her immediate priority was to pursue my impeachment,” Biden noted.

“My responsibility is clear: to manage the issues that impact the lives of Americans each and every day,” Biden said to his audience.

The abrupt decision by McCarthy to pursue an impeachment inquiry over the commercial engagements of Biden’s son, Hunter, and the financial dealings of the Biden family, has garnered support from even the most hesitant among the GOP legislators. Some advocate for quick proceedings, while others anticipate a protracted process that could extend into the 2024 election year.

In a closed meeting on Wednesday, McCarthy defended his rationale for the inquiry, an action favored by former President Trump. McCarthy is currently facing political pressure, notably from right-wing factions allied with Trump, who have indicated potential allegations such as abuse of power, corruption, and obstruction as possible articles of impeachment.

McCarthy told Capitol reporters, “There are numerous accusations; the objective is to ascertain the truth.”

In response, the White House has activated its defense against what it categorizes as “baseless and unprecedented allegations” directed at the President concerning his son, Hunter, and the family’s financial affairs.

The White House reiterated that President Biden had no involvement in his son’s business activities. To date, Republicans have failed to produce substantial evidence implicating Biden senior, who had occasionally interacted with his son during his tenure as Vice President and had attended a business dinner with his son’s associates.

In a comprehensive 14-page memo disseminated to media executives, the White House urged accountability for Republicans, stating that they are “veering towards impeachment over claims that are not only baseless but have, in almost all instances, been actively refuted.”

Earlier in the day, Biden did not engage with reporters asking questions about impeachment during an event at the White House focused on cancer research. Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, labeled the inquiry as “a political maneuver.”

As for Donald Trump, the presumed GOP candidate for the 2024 presidential elections, he holds the unique distinction of being impeached twice, although acquitted on both occasions, and is currently facing four separate criminal indictments.

House Republicans seem keen to expedite the impeachment process. “The sooner we proceed, the better,” said Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., who chairs the Oversight Committee overseeing the inquiry.

Meanwhile, Kevin McCarthy’s decision to initiate the impeachment inquiry has not pacified the conservative wing of his party, which is pressing for reduced federal expenditure, thereby heightening the risk of a government shutdown if an agreement on funding is not reached by September 30, when current appropriations expire.

On the Democratic side, resistance against both the impeachment proceedings and Republican efforts to slash federal spending is anticipated.

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., criticized McCarthy for not bringing the inquiry to a full House vote, saying, “This demonstrates his submission to extremist elements in his party and is indicative of his leadership’s frailty and susceptibility to influence by Donald Trump.”

Nevertheless, moderate Republicans, particularly those representing districts won by Biden in the 2020 election, generally support McCarthy’s decision to proceed with the impeachment investigation.

“The issue warrants thorough investigation,” said Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif.

In summary, the political climate remains tense, with the impeachment inquiry and federal funding issues presenting substantial challenges for lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

Contributions to this report were made by Farnoush Amiri, Darlene Superville, Chris Megerian, and Colleen Long, correspondents for Big Big News.

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• House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s Announcement
• White House Defense Against Impeachment Allegations
• Republican Support for Impeachment Inquiry
• Democrats’ Opposition to Impeachment
• Federal Funding Deadline and Government Shutdown Risk
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• Potential Charges in Biden Impeachment Inquiry
• White House Press Secretary on Impeachment Inquiry