Staff Reports
Republicans held their first impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden on Thursday, accusing him of potential abuse of power and corruption. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) led the hearing, which lasted six hours. Comer pointed out two wire transfers in 2019 that Hunter Biden, the president’s son, received from Beijing, raising suspicions of corruption. While Hunter Biden’s lawyer argued that the transfers were loans, Comer argued that there was no evidence of repayment, implying that they were bribes for access to Joe Biden.
Republicans weigh abuse of power charge at Biden impeachment hearing https://t.co/BHHwE0Rm5p
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) September 29, 2023
The hearing also featured Jonathan Turley, a law professor from George Washington University, who listed bribery, obstruction, conspiracy, and abuse of power as potential articles of impeachment. Turley cautioned that criminal acts should be established before considering abuse of power, as it could include noncriminal behavior. Additionally, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) explored the “abuse of power model” and asked if preferential treatment received by Hunter Biden during a Department of Justice investigation would constitute abuse of power. Turley responded that it could be if there was a connection to the president.
In response, Democrats have pointed out that a significant portion of the DOJ’s investigation into Hunter Biden occurred during the Trump administration and that any flaws in the investigation cannot implicate Joe Biden. This impeachment inquiry into President Biden follows the previous impeachment of former President Donald Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Trump was acquitted of both charges in the Senate.
