House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R. – Calif.) has ratcheted up the threats of Joe Biden impeachment proceedings, calling on his committees to open a formal impeachment inquiry into the President.
Until today, there was still uncertainty about whether a formal inquiry would move forward. McCarthy confirmed the move and called it a “logical next step.”
“Today, I am directing our House committee to open a formal impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden,” McCarthy said at a press conference. “This logical next step will give our committees the full power to gather all the facts and answers for the American public.”
In response, the White House called the move “extreme politics” of the worst kind.
Ian Sams, White House spokesperson for oversight and investigations tweeted out, “House Republicans have been investigating the President for 9 months, and they’ve turned up no evidence of wrongdoing.”
McCarthy Flip Flops on House Approval
McCarthy had insisted he would not open impeachment inquiries without a vote.
“To open an impeachment inquiry is a serious matter, and House Republicans would not take it lightly or use it for political purposes. The American people deserve to be heard on this matter through their elected representatives,” McCarthy told Breitbart News a couple of weeks ago. “That’s why, if we move forward with an impeachment inquiry, it would occur through a vote on the floor of the People’s House and not through a declaration by one person.”
But it seems the speaker has been under increasing pressure by some in his party to proceed with inquiries into the president’s involvement in his son Hunter’s business dealings abroad. the pressure was particularly from House Freedom Caucus members like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Rep. Matt Goetz of Florida.
The decision comes as a spending battle approaches. Freedom Caucus members say they would oppose efforts to keep the government funded on a short-term basis unless certain demands are met.
Goetz went so far as to threaten McCarthy’s position stating:
“Mr. Speaker, dust off our written January agreement. You have a copy. Reflect on the spirit of that agreement … begin to comply. No continuing resolutions, individual spending bills or bust. Votes on balanced budgets and term limits. Subpoenas for Hunter Biden and the members of the Biden family who’ve been grifting off of this country and the impeachment for Joe Biden that he so richly deserves. Do these things or face a motion to vacate the chair.”
More moderate members of the Republican party encouraged McCarthy to refrain from impeachment proceedings, saying there wasn’t enough evidence of any wrongdoing.
There is no constitutional requirement to vote to authorize an inquiry. But not taking a vote would contradict McCarthy’s stance from 2019, when he urged Democrats to take a formal vote to authorize an impeachment inquiry into former President Trump.
Still, McCarthy defended his decision, saying, “I do not make this decision lightly,” McCarthy said. “Regardless of your party or who you voted for, these facts should concern all Americans.”
Earlier this month, Sams stated, “If Speaker McCarthy opens an impeachment inquiry simply to throw red meat to the right wing, it will yet again prove this is nothing more than a costly, illegitimate, politically motivated exercise not rooted in reality.”
If that’s not the pot calling the kettle black, I’m not sure what is.
Somehow, despite years of investigation and Lord knows how many dollars later, the various bureaucratic agencies continue to pursue Trump, so far to no avail.
Jennifer Galardi is the politics and culture editor for 19FortyFive.com. She has a Master’s in Public Policy from Pepperdine University and produces and hosts the podcast Connection with conversations that address health, culture, politics and policy. In a previous life, she wrote for publications in the health, fitness, and nutrition space. In addition, her pieces have been published in the Epoch Times and Pepperdine Policy Review. You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
