Special Poll
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has called on President Biden to testify in a public hearing as part of an ongoing impeachment inquiry. The inquiry centers on allegations related to the Biden family’s business activities, although these claims remain disputed. Comer’s letter to President Biden, dated for an April 16 appearance, seeks to question him about his family’s income sources and their financial dealings.
“Congress ought to impeach crooked Joe Biden for attacking his political opponent by weaponizing the DOJ, the FBI, and even the local DAs and attorney generals against his political opponent,” Trump said. “They ought to impeach him because that is the most undemocratic thing that you can do.
This request is notable for its rarity, as sitting presidents usually only address Congress during the annual State of the Union. The call for Biden’s testimony comes amid internal Republican skepticism about the impeachment investigation’s findings of any substantive misconduct.
Comer has hinted at possibly forwarding a criminal referral to the Justice Department instead of pursuing impeachment, which would necessitate proving “high crimes and misdemeanors.” The White House, dismissing the inquiry’s credibility, pointed to testimonies and documents contradicting the allegations raised by Republicans.
The letter tries to link President Biden directly to his family’s business transactions, often relying on contested assertions. It revisits previously debunked claims about Biden’s role in the ouster of Ukrainian prosecutor Viktor Shokin, suggesting, without substantiation, that this was to benefit the Ukrainian company Burisma, where Hunter Biden was a board member. However, investigations have shown that Shokin’s removal was aligned with international anti-corruption efforts and that claims of Biden’s interference to benefit Burisma lack evidence.
Additionally, the letter questions the legitimacy of $24 million allegedly flowing from foreign sources to the Biden family and associates, though scrutinies suggest a different financial distribution, with a lesser amount linked directly to Hunter Biden.
The request also inquires into personal loans between President Biden and his brother, which have been documented and repaid, according to bank records. The inquiry further examines President Biden’s interactions with Hunter’s business associates, highlighting a narrative of purported influence and access.
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have criticized the inquiry as baseless and politically motivated, pointing out the lack of substantial evidence and the inquiry’s perceived partisan nature. They argue that the investigation has failed to uncover impeachable conduct, dismissing it as an overextended political spectacle.