House Republicans are edging closer to launching articles of impeachment against President Joe Biden. According to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), once the depositions of Biden family members and other involved parties are completed, a decision will be made on whether or not to proceed with the articles.
The House Oversight Committee has already issued subpoenas to Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, and his brother, James Biden. The committee hopes that interviews with these individuals will shed light on whether the president was directly involved in foreign business dealings or the alleged influence-peddling the family has been accused of.
Although the idea of an impeachment inquiry satisfies the House Freedom Caucus members, it may be a source of concern for centrist members, particularly those in competitive districts. With their slim majority, House Republicans need near-unanimity to move forward with any action. Impeachment could put members representing Biden-leaning districts in a difficult position.
One Republican involved in the Oversight investigation acknowledged the political challenges of impeachment, stating, “Impeachment hurts us politically – it makes our base feel better”. Additionally, an impeachment inquiry based on the available information would face difficulty gaining majority support in the House and would have a slim chance of success in the Democratic-led Senate. If the Republicans bring articles against Biden and fail to garner enough support in the House, it could lead to significant embarrassment.
Public opinion on impeachment is divided, even among those who believe that the Biden family’s actions have not always been above board. Recent polls have shown that impeachment of President Biden is not widely supported. Going into the 2024 general election, the opinions of independents and centrist voters will be crucial. In a September poll, independents overwhelmingly opposed the House Republicans’ intention to hold impeachment hearings. This could significantly impact these voters’ decisions regarding Republican candidates in the upcoming elections.
