Amid whispers of growing evidence of criminal misconduct, the Republican-led House is reportedly preparing to announce a formal impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden.
Fox News reports that Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), the highest-ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, has been meeting with Republican committee members, attempting to “persuade them to abandon the impeachment effort” against the president.
Sources with direct knowledge of these closed-door meetings told Fox News that Raskin has attempted to counter GOP arguments, challenge investigative steps and cast doubt on reported damning evidence implicating President Biden and several family members.
Reportedly, prominent Democrats have prepared “fact sheets” and are in the process of presenting this information to prominent Republicans to derail what appears to be an imminent impeachment inquiry announcement.
One aide to a senior House Democrat said: “These Fact Sheets are a hat in hand, fact-based appeal to House Republicans. Republicans may not be getting all of the facts from Mr. Comer, so we are making sure that they have the full picture as they decide whether to endorse this impeachment effort.”
Many Democrats and several RINOs, such as Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), argue there is no evidence to justify an impeachment inquiry,
Sen. @MittRomney: “I don’t see any evidence [justifying a Biden impeachment inquiry]. I think, before you begin an impeachment inquiry, you ought to have some evidence … We’re not going to impeach someone because of the sins of their kids.” pic.twitter.com/9aaud6m9Df
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) December 10, 2023
One fact sheet talking point argues that the “extraordinary cooperation” of banks and private citizens with investigatory House committees represents a breach of civil rights and due process.
House committee leaders argue investigations have been conducted in compliance with the law and are not politically motivated. Rep. James Comer (R-KY), chairman of the House Oversight Committee, noted the focus of investigative work is to identify whether or not President Biden was involved in improper business dealings with foreign interests.
Another fact sheet talking point defends Biden’s comments regarding the firing of Ukrainian prosecutor Viktor Shokin, whom Republicans allege was investigating Hunter Biden on corruption charges. Republicans further charge Biden’s pressuring officials to fire Shokin was an intimidation tactic aimed to extend his family receiving millions in exchange for favorable government treatment of Ukrainian proposals.
Democrats argue that Shokin’s firing was simply the “culmination of a years-long effort by a bipartisan, international coalition to address and root out corruption in Ukraine.”
Also lending weight for an impeachment inquiry is an FBI-generated form, alleging Joe and Hunter Biden, and Burisma CEO Mykola Zlochevsky were involved in a bribery scheme. Fox News reported:
“That FD-1023 [FBI report] … reflects the FBI’s interview with a confidential source who detailed multiple meetings and conversations he or she had with a top executive of Ukrainian natural gas firm Burisma Holdings over the course of several years starting in 2015.”
The report alleges Zlochevsky was “coerced” into paying Joe and Hunter Biden millions to get Shokin fired.
Comer appears poised to move forward with an inquiry and has expressed anger that Democrats have resisted providing answers and responding to requests for information that could exonerate the president. Comer told Fox News Digital it is “ironic Democrats continue to say there is no evidence and then at every turn seek to prevent the Oversight Committee from gathering evidence.”
Comer added: “Despite Democrats’ best efforts, the House Oversight Committee has produced evidence revealing Joe Biden knew about, participated in, and benefited from his family cashing in on the Biden last name. We will continue to follow the facts and hold this president accountable for his corruption.”
Also damning is the recent revelation that Hunter Biden received a $5 million wire from the Chinese company in August 2018 to his bank account, Hudson West III. Republican officials believe the transfer of funds could not have been effected without the support and knowledge of Joe Biden.
Most Republicans are pressing for impeachment proceedings to be brought forward against President Biden.
Joe Biden has put this country in danger. Swift impeachment is the ONLY option. pic.twitter.com/q6vbD9XxgF
— Rep. Andy Ogles (@RepOgles) December 6, 2023
Biden vehemently denied charges of wrongdoing, claiming he was never in business with his son and never discussed his son’s foreign business dealings.
Last week, a stressed Biden snapped at a reporter, saying of the probable charges he will face, “They’re lies. It’s a bunch of lies.”
