US: House Republicans open Biden impeachment inquiry with focus on son Hunter

House Republicans on Thursday (Sep 28) launched an impeachment inquiry hearings into US President Joe Biden based on unproven allegations that he lied about his son Hunter’s business dealings. The inquiry of Biden detailed foreign payments to his family, but no evidence was provided that he had personally benefitted.

The initial impeachment hearing by the House of Representatives Oversight Committee served as a review of evidence that Republicans have gathered so far about foreign business ventures by Hunter, which they said showed that Biden family members were selling access, the news agency Reuters reported.

'Biden profited from policies he pursued as vice prez'

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"The American people demand accountability for this culture of corruption," House Oversight Committee chair James Comer said, adding that the president lied about family members' business dealings and had not walled them off from his official duties.

Republican party leaders alleged that Biden and his family profited from policies he pursued as vice president during Barack Obama's administration between 2009 and 2017.

Also on Thursday, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said that he had issued subpoenas for bank records belonging to Hunter and the president's brother, Frank, as part of an investigation into the family's financial dealings.

'No proof Biden engaged in improper behaviour': Democrats

On Thursday, Democrats and several other witnesses said that there was no evidence that Biden received any foreign payments, or engaged in improper behaviour while he served as vice president.

Jamie Raskin, the panel's top Democrat,said, "If Republicans had a smoking gun or even a dripping water pistol they would be presenting it today. But they've got nothing."

According to Reuters, it is unclear if House Republicans would have votes at the end of the inquiry to support actual impeachment. Even if the vote succeeds, it is highly unlikely that the Senate would vote to remove Biden from the president's post.

In Arizona, Biden launches personal attack on Trump

As the impeachment inquiry was launched, Biden launched a personal attack on former US president Donald Trump, accusing him of plotting to subvert the US Constitution if he wins a return to power next year.

Addressing a speech in Arizona, Biden said that Trump was driven by "vengeance and vindictiveness", and he urged Americans to stand up for democracy before it was too late.

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