In a significant move on Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives greenlit an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. Despite reservations among some Republicans about the lack of evidence supporting allegations of misconduct, the party unanimously supported the politically charged process in a 221-212 party-line vote. This vote places the entire House Republican conference on record supporting an impeachment process that, if successful, could result in severe consequences for the president, including removal from office.
Responding to the development, President Biden issued a rare statement questioning the priorities of House Republicans. He criticized them for diverting attention from more pressing matters and accused them of engaging in a “baseless political stunt” fueled by lies. The president expressed disappointment that, instead of addressing urgent issues, Republicans chose to focus on an impeachment inquiry.
The authorization of this months-long inquiry sets the stage for the impeachment investigation to extend into 2024, coinciding with Biden’s potential reelection bid and a likely matchup against former President Donald Trump. Trump, who faced impeachment twice during his presidency, has been urging his Republican allies to swiftly pursue Biden’s impeachment as part of his broader campaign for retribution against political adversaries.
The decision to hold the vote came amid increasing pressure on Speaker Mike Johnson and his team to show progress in a nearly yearlong probe focused on the business dealings of Biden’s family members. While ethical questions have been raised, no concrete evidence of corrupt behavior or bribery by Biden has emerged during his current role or his previous tenure as vice president.
Following the vote, Johnson and his leadership team released a joint statement emphasizing their commitment to a fair investigation without prejudging the outcome. House Democrats strongly opposed the inquiry resolution, denouncing it as a political stunt aimed at avenging Trump’s impeachments.
Despite initial hesitation from some House Republicans, particularly those in politically divided districts, GOP leaders successfully conveyed that the resolution is a procedural step rather than a definitive decision to impeach Biden. The impeachment process, akin to a criminal indictment, would trigger a Senate trial where conviction could lead to the president’s removal from office. However, given the Democratic majority in the Senate, such an outcome appears unlikely for Biden.
Notably, while three U.S. presidents—Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump—have been impeached, none have been removed from office by the Senate. Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 before facing impeachment in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal.
