House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican, called on Tuesday for the impeachment of Democratic President Joe Biden, a move that is sure to further deepen the division among lawmakers who are struggling to pass a law to prevent a government shutdown. Many in McCarthy's party felt anger when the Democratic-controlled House impeached Republican President Donald Trump twice, in 2019 and 2021, despite his acquittal in both instances by the Senate. Some right-wing Republican lawmakers stated that they would attempt to oust McCarthy from his position as House Speaker if he does not move forward with efforts to impeach Biden. Biden, who defeated Trump in the 2020 election, is seeking re-election next year.
McCarthy told reporters, "I am instructing House committees to open a formal inquiry into the impeachment of President Joe Biden... We will go where the evidence takes us." A spokesperson for McCarthy stated on Tuesday that a vote in the House on an impeachment inquiry aimed at Biden is not expected. The Republicans, who now hold a narrow majority in the House, have accused Biden of profiting from foreign business ventures of his son Hunter Biden while he served as Vice President from 2009 to 2017, but they have not provided evidence to support these claims.
McCarthy noted that lawmakers on various committees will begin gathering evidence regarding potential financial misconduct. A former business partner of Biden's son testified during a House hearing that Hunter Biden sold "the illusion" of access to power when his father was Vice President, according to a transcript released last month. The White House stated that there is no basis for an inquiry and mocked Biden's Republican opponents concerning the possible impeachment.
