House Speaker Kevin McCarthy held a sudden press conference Tuesday morning where he announced the beginning of impeachment proceedings against President Joe Biden, an about-face move that aligns the Republican leader with conservatives in his conference who have been champing at the bit to strike back at Biden after years of investigating his alleged wrongdoings.
“I am directing our House committees to open a formal impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. Over the past several months, House Republicans have uncovered serious and credible allegations into President Biden’s conduct—a culture of corruption,” wrote McCarthy on X where he posted a short video clip of his remarks.
“Through our investigations, we have found that President Biden did lie to the American people about his own knowledge of his family’s foreign business dealings. Eye witnesses have testified that the president joined on multiple phone calls and had multiple interactions, dinners, resulting in millions of dollars into his son’s and son’s business partners. We know that nearly $20 million in payments were directed to the Biden family members and associates through various shell companies,” he added.
Evidence of the payments to the Biden family come from more than 170 bank records that connect Hunter Biden and business partner Devon Archer to overseas executives at Ukrainian energy company Burisma, venture capital firms tied to the Chinese communist government, and Russian oligarchs under investigation. Archer testified earlier this summer before Congress that President Biden curried favors with these executives by appearing at dinners, taking their phone calls, and even writing a letter of recommendation for one man’s daughter.
The investigations into Biden have been spearheaded by House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-KY) and House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH).
“Even a trusted FBI informant has alleged a bribe to the Biden family,” said McCarthy, adding that Biden used his official Office of the Vice Presidency to coordinate media responses with Hunter’s business partners related to Burisma, a company which was under investigation by a local prosecutor for government corruption. The FBI informant referenced by McCarthy claimed that Biden, in exchange for a $5 million bribe, pressured Ukrainian officials to fire the prosecutor Viktor Shokin who has since gone public with allegations that then-Vice President Biden threw the weight of the U.S. government at him to stymie his investigation into his son’s business practices.
Hunter Biden continues to negotiate with federal prosecutors over a plea deal to settle charges he lied about income made during these deals. President Biden has continually denied knowing about his family’s business activities, though a majority of Americans believe he had some knowledge and participation in the affairs.
WATCH:
I am directing our House committees to open a formal impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. Over the past several months, House Republicans have uncovered serious and credible allegations into President Biden’s conduct—a culture of corruption. https://t.co/3uoDlUB3Sy
— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) September 12, 2023