The Quiet Demise of Biden's Impeachment Inquiry: GOP Faces Reality

[Social Media]

 

The Republican-led effort to impeach President Joe Biden has reached a quiet but inevitable conclusion, as the long-anticipated report from the House Judiciary, Oversight, and Ways and Means committees made it clear that the GOP lacks the necessary votes to proceed. The nearly 300-page report, released on Monday, details the findings of the impeachment inquiry, accusing Biden of engaging in what they termed "impeachable conduct." However, the report stops short of calling for an impeachment vote, leaving the decision to the wider GOP Conference.

 

House Speaker Mike Johnson issued a statement shortly after the report's release, urging Americans to read the report and praising the committees for their work. Notably, Johnson's statement did not mention any next steps, a strong indication that the GOP leadership does not plan to bring an impeachment vote against Biden to the floor. Committee leaders such as Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and James Comer of Kentucky have also refrained from demanding an impeachment vote, signaling a broader acceptance within the party that the effort is effectively over.

 

This marks an anti-climactic end to one of the party's most high-profile investigations during its narrow majority in the House. The outcome, however, was predictable: with a slim three-vote margin, it has been evident for months that House Republicans do not have the votes to impeach Biden. Even as investigators presented their findings in private briefings, centrists within the party expressed skepticism about the existence of clear evidence of a crime or impeachable offense. Acknowledging the political reality, one GOP lawmaker, speaking anonymously, admitted, "We don't have the votes. We won't have the votes. It's math. … The report is going to be the end of it."

 

Despite the report's findings, some conservative members of the party continue to push for impeachment. Rep. Greg Steube of Florida took to social media to ask Speaker Johnson, "When are we voting to impeach Biden?" Similarly, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who had previously suggested forcing a vote on impeaching Biden over border issues, reiterated in a statement that the president "must be impeached." She also voiced her frustration with Congress for not having already brought articles of impeachment against Biden.

 

However, neither Greene nor Steube explicitly stated that they would force an impeachment vote when Congress reconvenes in early September, something they could do without the support of party leadership. Such a vote, though, is almost certain to fail, as GOP lawmakers estimate that many of their colleagues remain unconvinced of the need for impeachment. Some conservatives have floated the idea of holding a vote anyway, forcing their colleagues to take a public stand just weeks before the election, but the lack of broad support makes this an unlikely scenario.

 

If the GOP does not proceed with an impeachment vote, it will be the first formal presidential impeachment inquiry in modern history to end without a vote, barring the case of Richard Nixon, who resigned before an impeachment vote could take place. This reality is something a growing number of Republicans appear willing to accept, as they explore other potential avenues to address their concerns.

 

Among the alternatives being considered are criminal referrals to the Department of Justice for James and Hunter Biden, the president's brother and son, respectively. Additionally, some Republicans are pushing for bipartisan legislation to tighten financial disclosure requirements for presidents, vice presidents, and their family members.

 

Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee encapsulated the current state of the impeachment effort, stating in a recent interview, "I'd say we're finished with that." Comer, one of the key figures in the investigation, has also distanced himself from the push for impeachment, noting that he "never asked" for an impeachment inquiry to be formally opened. Instead, he pointed out that former Speaker Kevin McCarthy believed it would help the GOP in court.

 

Over the past several months, House Republicans have dedicated significant time and resources to their investigation, which has primarily focused on the business dealings of Biden's family members. A substantial portion of their report delves into the financial activities of Hunter and James Biden, including their business ventures and loans they received.

 

The report claims that the Biden family and their associates received $27 million from foreign entities, which they argue would not have been possible without Joe Biden's political influence. However, investigators struggled to establish a direct link between Biden's actions as president or vice president and these business dealings, or to prove that he committed a crime.

 

Some former business associates of Hunter Biden told investigators that Hunter would occasionally put his father on speakerphone during meetings with potential business partners, but they noted that these conversations were limited to pleasantries. In other instances, witnesses recalled Joe Biden making brief appearances at dinners or lunches, though they emphasized that no business was discussed during these encounters. Both Hunter and James Biden have consistently denied that Joe Biden was involved in their business deals, a stance that has been repeatedly echoed by the White House.

 

In their report, GOP investigators argued that they did not need to provide evidence of a crime or a quid pro quo to justify impeachment. However, this position has not satisfied many of their Republican colleagues, who believe that more concrete evidence is necessary to move forward with impeachment. Meanwhile, Democrats quickly seized on the report's release, declaring that it effectively exonerated President Biden.

 

Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, was quick to respond, stating, "The report they throw out into the world during an August congressional recess and at the start of the Democratic National Convention as a last-minute face-saving gesture is actually a Banana Republican cream pie they have just pressed into their own faces."

 

Raskin also circulated a memo to Democratic members titled "President Biden Exonerated by Impeachment Inquiry," further solidifying the party's position that the report cleared Biden of any wrongdoing.

 

GOP leaders have been working to defend their investigative efforts, with Speaker Johnson's office and various committees compiling a list of what they consider to be the investigative successes achieved during the GOP's majority in the House.

 

These include pressuring then-Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to resign in the wake of an assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, as well as Judiciary Committee investigations into Vice President Kamala Harris' handling of border issues and resignations at Columbia University, which has been under investigation by the Committee on Education and the Workforce.

 

The lack of votes is the primary reason behind the GOP's stalled momentum on impeachment, but there is also a shift in the party's political calculus. With Biden's decision to drop out of the presidential race, Republicans are increasingly directing their focus toward Vice President Kamala Harris and vice presidential candidate Tim Walz. The GOP has launched investigations into Harris' work on the border and recently initiated a probe into Walz's dealings related to China.

 

Interestingly, the GOP's impeachment report mentions the "Biden-Harris" administration approximately 20 times, despite the fact that Harris was not the primary focus of the investigation, which largely centered on the business activities of Biden's family members and the federal investigation into Hunter Biden. The report's release also coincided with the first day of the Democratic National Convention, with Biden scheduled to speak later that evening.

 

In the end, the impeachment inquiry into President Biden appears to be drawing to a close without the dramatic conclusion that many had anticipated. As Republicans grapple with the realities of their narrow majority and shifting political landscape, the focus is gradually shifting away from impeachment and toward other strategies to achieve their goals.

 

Credit: Politico  2024-08-21

 

 

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[mushroomdave]

A bunch of clowns that wasted the taxpayers money!

 

The only good that came of it was for all to see just who they really are!

 

Bravo guys.....and Marjorie!!  

 

 

 

 

 

[Tug]

What a bunch of pathetic clowns instead of harassing the Biden’s they could have tried to legislate…..

[JonnyF]

Given Biden's rapidly declining health and the bias in the US legal system, it does seem a bit of a waste of time.

[stevenl]

18 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Given Biden's rapidly declining health and the bias in the US legal system, it does seem a bit of a waste of time.

You may have missed the part that states no evidence was found against Joe Biden.

[Patong2021]

Pettiness. They thought they could smear the President  during the election.  This will come back to haunt the GOP. People are fed up of the grandstanding and want their Reps to work on solving the country's problems.

[Eric Loh]

Tweedledum and Tweedledee, GOP lead men in this wild goose chase should each wear a dunce hat and stand in the House corner for such an embarrassment. 

[rudi49jr]

33 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

Tweedledum and Tweedledee, GOP lead men in this wild goose chase should each wear a dunce hat and stand in the House corner for such an embarrassment. 

They should be tarred and feathered and chased from the House with pitch forks. 

[cjinchiangrai]

Meanwhile the twice impeached felon is still free and committing more crimes. What ever happened to the investigation on Jared's two billion from the Saudi murderer?

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

5 hours ago, Tug said:

What a bunch of pathetic clowns instead of harassing the Biden’s they could have tried to legislate…..

 

Given the types of laws this mob wants to enact, I think I might prefer them chasing their tails on fools' errands like this.

[Danderman123]

Hey, what happened to Hunter Biden?

[gargamon]

14 minutes ago, Danderman123 said:

Hey, what happened to Hunter Biden?

Kamala is going to pardon him anyway.

[Danderman123]

6 minutes ago, gargamon said:

Kamala is going to pardon him anyway.

You posted without thinking.

 

Bad habit.

[Chomper Higgot]

6 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Given Biden's rapidly declining health and the bias in the US legal system, it does seem a bit of a waste of time.

Yet more ill informed nonsense.

 

The Republican faux investigation wasn’t even a ‘Congressional hearing’ let alone anything at all to do the U.S. ‘legal system’.

 

If you have a diagnosis to back your statement regarding Biden let’s be having it Jonny.

[Chomper Higgot]

15 minutes ago, gargamon said:

Kamala is going to pardon him anyway.

Someone else who believes Harris is going to win the 2024 Presidential Election.

[JonnyF]

Just now, Chomper Higgot said:

Someone else who believes Harris is going to win the 2024 Presidential Election.

 

Quite possible if she is kept locked in the basement. 

[Chomper Higgot]

3 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Quite possible if she is kept locked in the basement. 

Yet more ill informed nonsense.

 

Harris is very visibly out and about campaigning, most recently in Milwaukee.

 

 

 

[JonnyF]

4 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Yet more ill informed nonsense.

 

Harris is very visibly out and about campaigning, most recently in Milwaukee.

 

 

 

 

Reading from teleprompters. 

 

Let me know when she does a serious interview or a debate. 

[Chomper Higgot]

2 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Reading from teleprompters. 

 

Let me know when she does a serious interview or a debate. 

So not, as you claimed, locked in a basement.

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

6 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Given Biden's rapidly declining health and the bias in the US legal system, it does seem a bit of a waste of time.

Agreed. It was only relevant when Biden was the candidate. Now he's going to be gone from the W H for ever it's pointless to continue.

[thaibeachlovers]

6 hours ago, stevenl said:

You may have missed the part that states no evidence was found against Joe Biden.

Saying he was too decrepit to stand trial is not the same as saying no evidence was found.

[JonnyF]

11 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

So not, as you claimed, locked in a basement.

 

 

 

I didn't mean literally Chomps.😃

 

Even the Dems might face the courts if they did that.  

[Chomper Higgot]

5 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

I didn't mean literally Chomps.😃

 

Even the Dems might face the courts if they did that.  

Like I said earlier, you were posting ill informed nonsense.

 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

6 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Saying he was too decrepit to stand trial is not the same as saying no evidence was found.

A claim that tge person who made it refused to repeat under oath.

[candide]

17 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Saying he was too decrepit to stand trial is not the same as saying no evidence was found.

Yet they found no evidence!

[candide]

10 hours ago, mushroomdave said:

A bunch of clowns that wasted the taxpayers money!

 

The only good that came of it was for all to see just who they really are!

 

Bravo guys.....and Marjorie!!  

 

 

 

 

 

A souvenir from Mira El Lardo! 😀

[JonnyF]

10 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Like I said earlier, you were posting ill informed nonsense.

 

 

 

No, you were being disingenuous (again) by pretending to think I was claiming she was "literally" locked in a basement. 😃

[JonnyF]

1 minute ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Do you agree it’s a good idea to encourage people to hand these weapons in before they are banned?

 

Not very kind to call Harris a "weapon" although many would agree.

 

And when is she being banned?

[Chomper Higgot]

25 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Not very kind to call Harris a "weapon" although many would agree.

 

And when is she being banned?

I’ll give you that, by bad posting in wrong thread.

[placeholder]

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

Quite possible if she is kept locked in the basement. 

Which says all we need to know about your opinion of Trump if you believe he can be beaten by someone locked in the basement.