House Republicans launched an impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden on Tuesday. Speaker Kevin McCarthy unveiled the inquiry in a statement at the Capitol saying there were “serious and credible allegations into President Biden’s conduct” warranting an inquiry.
“Today, I am directing our House committees to open a formal impeachment inquiry into President Joe,” McCarthy said. “This logical next step will give our committees the full power to gather all the facts and answers for the American public.”
He accused Biden of “abuse of power, obstruction and corruption” based on the findings of several GOP-led committees investigating the president. He cited evidence such as phone calls, dinners, millions of dollars in payments to the Biden family, suspicious financial transactions, and a bribe offered to the family.
He went on to accuse Biden of using his office to benefit his family and offering them special treatment unavailable to others.
McCarthy also said House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, House Oversight Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, and Ways & Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith would lead the inquiry. He declined to answer questions from reporters.
In response, White House spokesman for oversight and investigations Ian Sams denounced the inquiry as an excessively partisan effort.
“House Republicans have been investigating the President for 9 months, and they've turned up no evidence of wrongdoing. His own GOP members have said so,” Sams posted on X, formerly Twitter. “He vowed to hold a vote to open impeachment, now he flip-flopped because he doesn't have support. Extreme politics at its worst.”
McCarthy later told reporters that the inquiry was necessary to clear up the allegations and that Biden should welcome an inquiry. “I think we could clear up everything up to the American public and everything else,” he said. “I think the president would be happy to do it, but if he uses his administration to fight us from even getting information, that's obstruction.”
Sources first told Fox News Digital in August that McCarthy planned to open an impeachment inquiry this month. Although a House vote is typically not required to open an inquiry, McCarthy had previously criticized Pelosi for launching one into former President Donald Trump before formalizing it on the chamber floor. It is unclear why he decided against calling a vote this time.
The House GOP conference will meet on Thursday for key committee chairs to brief lawmakers on their findings and answer questions. It is unclear how long the inquiry will take or how it might proceed.