In a noteworthy shift among Republican leaders, Speaker Kevin McCarthy is contemplating the impeachment of President Joe Biden, according to sources familiar with internal discussions.
McCarthy’s newfound openness to the idea comes after receiving advice from a senior House Republican and a prominent conservative lawyer. They urged him to focus on impeaching Biden rather than members of his Cabinet.
The rationale behind this strategy, multiple sources have told CNN, is that if House Republicans are going to invest resources in the politically sensitive task of impeachment, they might as well target the highest figure in the administration rather than lower-ranking officials.
Gingrich’s Influence on McCarthy
McCarthy has reportedly been consulting with former House GOP Speaker Newt Gingrich on the matter, signaling a shift in his attitude toward this previously fringe concept within the conference. Recently, McCarthy issued his most explicit threat to Biden, stating that investigations into the Biden family’s business dealings appear to be approaching the level of an impeachment inquiry.
Still, McCarthy has stressed to CNN that Republicans have yet to verify the most scandalous allegations against Biden, particularly those involving a bribery scheme with a foreign national to benefit his son, Hunter Biden’s career—an accusation vehemently denied by the White House. However, he argued that launching an impeachment inquiry would grant the House the power to obtain crucial information, similar to the argument presented by House Democrats during Trump’s impeachment in 2019.
Joe Biden: Shifting Focus to the ‘Big Guy’
The shift in the Republican party’s thinking is significant, as they had previously focused on targeting lower-ranking officials, such as Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Attorney General Merrick Garland. They believed these to be lower-stakes battles that could be easier to sell to the party and the public.
Some Republican leaders, including Rep. Mike Johnson from Louisiana, consider the evidence leading to Biden as the “big guy” referred to by several of Hunter Biden’s associates in key emails. This suggests he may have been involved in his son’s business dealings, namely in China and Ukraine.
Johnson, a member of the GOP leadership team, stated that they are at the point of an impeachment inquiry, emphasizing the constitutional obligation to follow the facts.
Challenges Ahead
The path to impeachment, though gaining traction, remains challenging and time-consuming for McCarthy due to his slim majority in the House and the impending need to fund the government by September 30. There are also concerns about potential backfiring, alienating party moderates, and energizing the Democratic base, all for an effort that is unlikely to succeed in the Senate, similar to the Democrats’ concerns during Trump’s impeachment in 2019.
Given the economic concerns likely to dominate upcoming elections, House Republicans could aim to conclude any impeachment proceedings before the year’s end. However, the party would be wise to make a decisive choice on whether to proceed with impeachment and whom to target, given the need for hearings and a formal inquiry process.
Republicans assert that recent developments, including an internal FBI document released by GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, containing unverified allegations involving Hunter and Joe Biden in an illegal foreign bribery scheme, have generated momentum. However, linking these allegations directly to the president’s actions remains a challenge for GOP leaders.
Moving Forward
As the House stands on the brink of a six-week recess, the fate of a potential Biden impeachment will depend on how the GOP navigates the complex political landscape in the coming weeks. While some Republicans applaud McCarthy’s recent openness to the idea, others remain skeptical, cautioning that thorough vetting and deliberation are essential.
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
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