On Sept. 12, then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy launched an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, citing a “picture of corruption” that had emerged from a monthslong investigation into Hunter Biden, the president’s son, and the Biden family. He said the inquiry would give House Republicans greater power to obtain financial records and other documents. He was also under pressure from his right flank, and former President Donald Trump, who was twice impeached himself.
Speaker McCarthy did not hold a vote on the inquiry, with some Republican critics citing a lack of evidence. But on Wednesday, when newly elected Speaker Mike Johnson brought the issue to the House floor, all Republicans voted in favor, 221-212. Many said they were persuaded by White House stonewalling of the three committees spearheading the investigation.
Despite the additional legitimacy conferred by a formal vote, the inquiry will not necessarily lead to impeachment. But either way, it could have an impact on the 2024 presidential election – and perhaps on the impeachment process itself, which some say is becoming a political tool rather than a measure reserved for extraordinary circumstances.
GOP leaders say the vote was needed to counter White House stonewalling of requests for information. But even some Republicans say there’s no evidence so far of presidential wrongdoing.
Despite the additional legitimacy conferred by a formal vote, the outcome of the inquiry will ultimately hinge on whether House Republicans can directly connect Hunter Biden’s alleged influence peddling to his father – a connection that even some Republicans say has not been established so far.
Hanging in the balance is the impact this inquiry may have on the 2024 presidential election – and perhaps on the impeachment process itself, which some say is increasingly becoming a routine political tool rather than a measure reserved for extraordinary circumstances. Three of the four presidential impeachments in U.S.