Joe Biden Will be Impeached – But Do Americans Really Want This to Go Forward?
Many Republican lawmakers have suggested that both impeachments of former President Donald Trump were politically motivated and that Democrats searched for a reason – any reason – to bring articles of impeachment. Now, it is increasingly likely that the GOP will impeach President Joe Biden.
While former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-California) had launched an impeachment inquiry into Biden’s business dealings – including those involving his troubled son Hunter – it had seemed as if it would remain just that, an inquiry. With McCarthy’s downfall, and now Trump-backed Rep. Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) holding the speaker’s gavel, it is likely just a matter of time.
Johnson, who was among the lawmakers on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman that has overseen the impeachment inquiry, now has the power to move forward on impeachment. He told Fox News host Sean Hannity last week that there is evidence that impeachable offenses had been committed.
“The reason we shifted to the impeachment inquiry stage on the president himself was because if, in fact, all the evidence leads to where we believe it will, that’s very likely impeachable offenses,” Johnson said, adding, “That’s listed as a cause for impeachment in the constitution; bribery and other crimes and misdemeanors. Bribery’s listed there, and it looks and smells a lot like that. We’re going to follow the truth wherever it leads. We’re going to engage in due process because, again, we’re the rule of law party.”
Yet, Johnson also suggested he won’t rush in.
“I know people are getting anxious and they’re getting restless and they just want somebody to be impeached, but we don’t do that like the other team. We have to base it on the evidence,” Johnson added.
Payback for Trump’s Impeachments?
Even before the GOP took narrow control of the House of Representatives in the 2022 midterms, there had been talk that if/when they did, Biden would face impeachment.
The fact remains that as the Democrats control the Senate, there is little chance Biden will be removed from office. It is thus just political theater – and arguably the same was true when the Democrats impeached Trump.
That could explain why a Monmouth University poll conducted last month found that three in 10 Republicans didn’t believe Biden should be impeached, while a separate poll from NBC News also found that more than half – 56 percent – of registered voters didn’t think Congress should hold impeachment hearings. Just 39 percent supported such a move. Moreover, six in 10 independents opposed the impeachment hearings.
Winning a Battle But Losing a War Against Joe Biden?
If a formal impeachment vote is brought against President Joe Biden, it is likely a case where it will result in nothing – again, he won’t be removed from office given the Democrat’s hold on Congress. It will be a case of winning a battle but losing a war.
And it could be costly for the GOP.
An impeachment could hurt Republicans who are in battleground districts next year. That would result in the party losing its narrow majority, and with it control of the House.
Getting the House in Order
It may also seem that after more than three weeks without a speaker, the House of Representatives needs to get back in order.
Speaker Johnson has to work on funding the government, as a November 17 shutdown deadline is looming, and that will be followed by several spending bills, defense policy legislation, and notably the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization.
In other words, lawmakers will have to do their actual primary job of passing legislation before they can turn to any impeachment proceedings. Yet, it remains a matter of when – not if – a vote on impeachment reaches the House floor.
Author Experience and Expertise
A Senior Editor for 19FortyFive, Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu.
