In a significant escalation of their impeachment inquiry, House Republicans, led by Representative James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, issued subpoenas on Wednesday to members of President Joe Biden’s family. This move represents the latest, and perhaps most aggressive, step in a nearly year-long investigation aimed at uncovering evidence of influence peddling during Biden’s tenure as vice-president to Barack Obama.
The subpoenas target President Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, and his brother, James Biden. Additionally, former business associate Rob Walker has been summoned to appear before the oversight committee for a deposition. Furthermore, lawmakers have requested voluntary transcribed interviews from James Biden’s wife, Sara Biden, and Hallie Biden, the widow of the president’s deceased son, Beau.
Representative Comer, hailing from Kentucky, emphasized the evidence trail pointing to “influence peddling” by Biden’s family, particularly in their international business dealings. The move to bring in members of the Biden family for questioning reflects a strategic shift in the ongoing investigation.
The stakes are exceptionally high, as the inquiry, if successful, could lead to Republicans filing impeachment charges against President Biden—a grave consequence outlined in the US constitution for “high crimes and misdemeanors.”
Both the White House and the Biden family’s personal lawyers have dismissed the investigation as a political maneuver designed to undermine the Democratic president. They assert that the inquiry is a transparent attempt to aid former president Donald Trump, the leading contender for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination.
Hunter Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, described the investigation as riddled with “worn-out, false, baseless, or debunked claims.” In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, Lowell urged restraint in what he characterized as “partisan political games.”
Speaker Johnson, newly in the role, has expressed support for the inquiry, stating that there is a “constitutional responsibility to follow this truth where it leads.” The decision on whether to pursue articles of impeachment against President Biden could be imminent.
Since January, Republicans have scrutinized the Biden family for alleged “influence peddling” dating back to Joe Biden’s vice-presidency. Representative Comer claims that the committee has unearthed substantial evidence revealing how Biden abused his power and misled about a supposed “wall” between his political position and his son’s business dealings.
While ethical questions surround the Biden family’s international business ventures, no concrete evidence has surfaced to prove that President Biden, in his current or past offices, misused his position or accepted bribes.
By AP
