First hearing out of the impeachment inquiry against Biden begins Thursday at 10 am
House Republicans are scheduled to hold their first public hearing as part of an impeachment inquiry on Thursday morning. The hearing, led by the House Oversight Committee and chaired by James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, will focus on examining the value of the impeachment inquiry and presenting evidence related to the Biden family’s business dealings.
The investigation will also look into President Joe Biden’s knowledge of and involvement in his family’s domestic and international business practices. The hearing is set to begin at 10 a.m.
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Two key witnesses are expected to testify during the hearing. Bruce Dubinsky, a forensic accountant with extensive experience in financial investigations and consulting, who has testified in over 80 trials, including those involving financial fraud, will provide testimony.
Additionally, former Assistant Attorney General Eileen O’Connor, who previously served in the Department of Justice Tax Division, will also testify. The hearing is part of the ongoing Republican efforts to scrutinize the Biden family’s business activities and assess the need for an impeachment inquiry.
Law professor and Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley, who testified in the impeachment of Clinton and Trump, will also testify.
“The House Oversight and Accountability Committee has uncovered evidence that reveals how Joe Biden abused his public office for his family’s financial gain,” Comer is expected to say in his opening statement. “For years, President Biden has lied to the American public about his knowledge and participation in his family’s corrupt business schemes.”
“Evidence reveals that then-Vice President Joe Biden spoke, dined, and developed relationships with his family’s foreign business targets. These business targets included foreign oligarchs who sent millions of dollars to his family,” Comer said. “This includes a Chinese national who paid his son a quarter of a million dollars.”
Comer’s statements are related to the disclosure of subpoenaed financial records belonging to Hunter Biden, who in 2019 said he received two wire transfers originating from Beijing and linked to BHR Partners.
Fox News Digital initially reported that these wire transfers exceeded $250,000 and were received by Hunter Biden in the summer of 2019. Notably, the funds were directed to the Biden family’s Delaware residence as the listed beneficiary address.
The White House declined to comment on the matter.
Comer emphasized that the House Oversight Committee has already revealed how the Bidens and their associates set up more than 20 shell companies, raking in more than $24 million. Additionally, the committee identified nine members of the Biden family who participated in or benefited from these business activities.
Comer emphasized that the primary commodity the Bidens appeared to be trading to amass such wealth was Joe Biden’s position. He argues that the American public is entitled to demand accountability for what it sees as a pattern of corruption.
Expect Comer to highlight the American public’s insistence on understanding how these activities have compromised President Biden and jeopardized national security. He also emphasized the need for government officials to take steps to prevent them from using their positions for personal gain.
Comer explains that the House Oversight Committee has substantial evidence in its possession, including emails, text messages, bank records, and testimony from Biden family members. He argues that this evidence is Joe Biden’s alleged corruption and abuse of his public office.
The House of Representatives formally opened impeachment proceedings earlier this month, a step Congress has called an essential duty. He underscored the demand from the American public for answers, transparency, and accountability regarding allegations of Biden’s involvement in foreign business deals managed by his son Hunter Biden with promises of political benefits in exchange for financial payments.
The White House has stated that President Biden has not engaged in any business activities with his son.
However, House Republicans have been heavily criticized by White House officials for launching the impeachment inquiry, describing it as an investigation that lacked proper evidence and was merely a political maneuver. Additionally, they criticized GOP lawmakers for scheduling the hearing just days before the government faces a possible shutdown due to funding issues.
Currently, Congress is debating a continuing resolution to extend funding for the current fiscal year. Failure to reach a deal by the September 30 deadline could result in a partial government shutdown.
White House spokesman Ian Sams argued that hard-line House Republicans are using the investigation to divert attention from their own troubles in the administration and the potential negative consequences for the country as a result of their actions.
Sams further criticized the timing of the hearing, saying that holding a political stunt hearing shortly before a potential government shutdown would reveal the priorities of House Republicans. In their view, he suggested, baseless personal attacks on President Biden take precedence over avoiding a government shutdown and the hardship it would impose on American families.
The upcoming hearing marks the first since House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, formally opened impeachment proceedings last week. Along with Comer, McCarthy appointed House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith of Missouri to lead the inquiry.