Impeachment Inquiry of Joe Biden about Uncovering Facts
National ReviewDec 14, 2023
US House Votes to Formalize Biden Impeachment Inquiry
Image copyright: Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Congressional Integrity Project
The Facts
The US House of Representatives voted Wednesday along party lines 221-212 to formalize an impeachment inquiry into Democratic Pres. Joe Biden, following Republican allegations that Biden and his family have taken part in an "influence peddling" scheme with foreign entities for financial gain.
While focusing on the president, Republicans have also used their inquiry to look into his son, Hunter Biden, and overseas business deals that they claim may have benefited the elder Biden.
The Spin
Republican narrative
A political victory for Speaker Mike Johnson and House Republicans, investigations into the Bidens' dodgy business dealings are about uncovering the truth. Although Biden might not ultimately be impeached, it’s still important to follow the evidence to the end and inform the American electorate of Biden's true nature prior to next year's presidential election.
Democratic narrative
Instead of addressing Americans’ concerns on issues of real substance, House Republicans are going on a wild goose chase without any evidence. If they truly wished to deliver meaningful good, they would stop prioritizing this sham over passing much-needed legislation. This impeachment vote merely reaffirms that Republicans are not fit to govern public office.
Cynical narrative
As seen with Trump in 2019, and now with Biden, the possibility of impeachment – once the heavyweight of public office discipline – has become a fickle and arbitrary threat used by both sides of the political spectrum. For such a tool to be abused by both Republicans and Democrats is embarrassing and highlights how low American politics has fallen in recent years.
Nerd narrative
There's a 25% chance that Biden will be impeached by the House, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
