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Several politicians from both chambers of Congress expressed doubts about the initiative of their party colleague Kevin McCarthy (58). The Speaker of the House of Representatives announced on Tuesday that he had ordered an investigation into a so-called impeachment procedure. There are credible allegations that US President Joe Biden (80) was involved in illegal affairs involving his son Hunter (53). This requires further research.
It is unclear whether impeachment proceedings could ultimately be opened. The chance of success of such a procedure is estimated to be low in any case. Biden’s Democrats are talking about revenge and pure campaign tactics. Above all, this move shows the pressure McCarthy is under.
What matters
The Republicans, with their majority in the House of Representatives, have been investigating the Biden family’s financial transactions for months. This concerns, among other things, Hunter Biden’s business transactions abroad and the question of whether Joe Biden, then as American vice president, could have used his political influence for this. “These are allegations of abuse of power, cover-up and corruption, and they warrant further investigation,” McCarthy said. A White House spokesman countered that Republicans had found no evidence of misconduct by Biden in nine months.
What other Republicans are saying
While some Republicans welcomed McCarthy’s move, other party colleagues were unusually open and skeptical. Rep. Ken Buck, 64, told NBC he needed to see evidence — so far he hadn’t been able to see any connection between Joe Biden and his son’s affairs. “That is why I hesitate to agree with Chairman McCarthy.”
An unnamed Republican senator told news portal The Hill: “This is a waste of time. That is useless.” In the Senate, which would ultimately have to decide on impeachment, there would be no chance that Biden would be found guilty, he emphasized. The whole thing does not help the election campaign.
Republican Senator Shelley Moore Capito (69) told the portal that the action was “frustrating”. Senior Senate Republican John Thune, 62, said McCarthy was under intense pressure in his caucus. “I don’t think it would be helpful to push this forward along with all the other things we need to do.”
What McCarthy’s announcement specifically means
What came as a surprise was that McCarthy simply announced that he had “instructed” the relevant committees to investigate – rather than scheduling a vote on it in the House of Representatives. He had previously emphasized that a vote had to be taken in Parliament before investigations could begin.
American media reported that there were not enough votes among Republicans for the initiative. That is why McCarthy only rushed forward to appease right-wing lawmakers who have long called for the initiation of impeachment proceedings against Biden – just like former Republican US President Donald Trump (77).
Why McCarthy is under so much pressure
McCarthy is in a very weak position. In January, as a result of an internal uprising, the Republican was only elevated to the most important post in the House of Representatives after fifteen rounds of voting. Several MPs from the right-wing fringe of the parliamentary group have been asked to vote for him for some time and have since expected concessions from him. They also introduced a clause that would make it easier for the chairman to be removed from office in case of doubt.
Right-wing parts of the group are putting pressure on McCarthy, not only on the impeachment issue, but also on the federal budget. Congress must approve the federal budget by the end of the month or government business will come to a standstill, a shutdown.
Right-wing Republicans are calling for major cuts or want to sabotage the passage of the budget. One hardliner, Matt Gaetz, 41, again called for action from McCarthy on Tuesday, calling the impeachment initiative just a “baby step” and openly threatening to force a vote of no confidence against McCarthy.
What the further procedure looks like
In order to actually start impeachment proceedings against Biden after an investigation, a majority in the House of Representatives would be required. The Republicans have a slim majority there. But the faction is extremely fragmented and McCarthy has had great difficulty closing his own ranks since his inception.
Even if there were a majority in the House of Representatives, the Senate would ultimately have to decide whether Biden would be impeached. However, Biden’s Democrats have a narrow majority in the Senate.
It is therefore virtually impossible that the president will ultimately be removed from office. Theoretically, Republicans could simply continue the investigation well into the election year to continually produce unpleasant headlines for Biden — without forcing the process any further.
How impeachment proceedings become a political weapon
Impeachment proceedings against a president are actually intended as a last resort. Never before has it been on the agenda as often as in recent years. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski, 66, said on Tuesday: “I wonder if the threshold or bar for impeachment seems to be getting lower every year.” During Trump’s term in office, Democrats in Congress initiated two impeachment proceedings against him – a unique move in American history.
Trump was acquitted in both cases by the Senate, where his party was in control at the time. Democrats see the fact that Republicans are now taking steps to impeach Biden after the change of power in Congress as an act of political revenge – also because Trump now faces four charges in criminal proceedings. Like Biden, Trump wants to participate again in the presidential elections in November 2024. (SDA)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
