An impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden could start soon, the top Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives said this week.
If the president and members of his family stonewall congressional investigators, then an inquiry will be launched when the House returns from its break, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said on Aug. 22.
“The whole determination here is how the Bidens handled this. If they provide us the documents, there wouldn’t be a need for impeachment inquiry. But if they withhold the documents and fight like they have now to not provide to the American public what they deserve to know, we will move forward with impeachment inquiry when we come back into session,” Mr. McCarthy said.
He was speaking on Fox News.
“Somebody is lying in this process. And the only thing I realize here is the only stories that have not changed are the whistleblowers from the IRS. Their story has held up time and again,” Mr. McCarthy said. “It really looks like there’s two justice systems here.”
He added: “If the Biden administration continues to fight to withhold information that could really clear all this up. Did they take bribes? Did they deal in the business? If they hold that up, we would have to move to an impeachment inquiry.”
The White House did not respond to a request for comment. It has not denied that President Biden spoke with his son’s business associates but has alleged he did not talk business with them.
Launching an inquiry is the first step to impeaching the president. Authorization for an inquiry is usually done through approval of a resolution directing the investigation of a president or another official. The authorization typically triggers a formal investigation by the House Judiciary Committee. The House could end up considering articles of impeachment that rely at least in part on evidence garnered during the inquiry.
If the House impeaches an official, the Senate decides whether to convict or acquit. Former President Donald Trump was impeached twice, but was acquitted both times.
Special Counsel
Mr. Biden was charged with intentionally failing to pay taxes and entered an agreement for another charge, illegal possession of a firearm. The charges were brought by U.S. Attorney David Weiss, an appointee of President Trump.U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, an appointee of President Biden, recently tapped Mr. Weiss as special counsel in the investigation after whistleblowers came forward and challenged claims made by both Mr. Garland and Mr. Weiss. The move also came after a plea deal for the tax charges fell apart, resulting in the charges being dismissed.
In past instances of a special counsel investigation, queries to investigators or the Department of Justice about the matter are met with statements that no information can be revealed due to an ongoing investigation.
Those types of answers would also lead to an inquiry, Mr. McCarthy said.
Support
Various Republicans have expressed support for an impeachment inquiry.Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), for instance, said this week that he expects an inquiry to be started.
“It’s clear that Joe has facilitated and allowed these foreign shakedowns and influence peddling,” he said in a statement.
Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) earlier in August introduced articles of impeachment even though no inquiry has happened.
The charges included abuse of power, noting that President Biden participated in business meetings with his son and brother. Another charge was obstruction of justice, or how the Department of Justice, per whistleblowers, obstructed the investigation into Mr. Biden.
“It’s long past time to impeach Joe Biden,” Rep. Steube said in a statement. “He has undermined the integrity of his office, brought disrepute on the Presidency, betrayed his trust as President, and acted in a manner subversive of the rule of law and justice at the expense of America’s citizens.”
