Impeachment inquiry | Republicans invite Joe Biden to testify before Congress

(Washington) House Republicans on Thursday invited President Joe Biden to testify before Congress as part of their impeachment inquiry into him and his family’s business affairs.

Representative James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, sent a letter to the Democratic president, inviting him to “explain, under oath” in a public hearing, his involvement in the Biden family businesses.

“In light of the yawning gap between your public statements and the evidence gathered by the Committee, as well as the obstruction from the White House, it is in the paramount interests of the American people that you respond directly to questions from members of the Congress, and I hereby invite you to do so,” the Kentucky Republican wrote.

Although it is highly unlikely that Mr. Biden would agree to appear before lawmakers in such a context, Mr. Comer pointed to previous examples of presidents testifying before Congress.

The invitation comes as the months-long investigation into Mr. Biden draws to a close and Republicans face the harsh reality that they lack the political appetite in the conference to to carry out a real impeachment. Still, those behind the initiative, including Mr. Comer, are under growing political pressure to deliver after months of investigation into the Biden family and its web of international business dealings.

Alleged influence peddling scheme

The White House has repeatedly expressed that the investigation is baseless, telling Republicans to “move on” and focus on the “real issues” affecting Americans.

“This is a sad coup at the end of a failed impeachment effort,” spokesman Ian Sams said in a social media post last week.

The committee claimed the Bidens exploited their last name, an alleged influence-peddling scheme to which Republicans are trying to link a handful of phone calls or dinners between Joe Biden, when he was vice president or out office, and Hunter Biden and his business associates.

But despite devoting countless resources over the past year, interviewing dozens of witnesses, including the President’s son Hunter Biden and his brother James Biden, Republicans have yet to produce a single shred of evidence demonstrating that Joe Biden was directly involved in or benefited from his family’s businesses while he held public office.

Seeking the president’s testimony could ultimately be the final act of the investigation.

Late last year, Republicans leading the investigation had privately discussed holding a vote on the articles of impeachment in the new year, but growing criticism within their party forced a change of strategy. Now Mr. Comer is considering possible criminal referrals of the family to the Justice Department, a move that will be largely symbolic and unlikely to be received by the department.

Associated Press congressional correspondent Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.