During an impeachment inquiry led by the Republican-led House Oversight Committee, allegations were made against President Joe Biden regarding his family members’ business dealings. Republicans claimed that Biden had lied about these dealings and had not separated them from his official duties. However, Democrats argued that there was no evidence of wrongdoing on Biden’s part. Despite not revealing any new information about Biden’s financial ties, Republicans argued that Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, and other family members had been selling access. The hearing took place just days before a potential government shutdown due to a funding and immigration dispute.

The Republican-led probe has been ongoing for months, but they have not been able to uncover evidence of any wrongdoing by Biden. Meanwhile, Democrats have criticized the Republicans for not presenting any substantial evidence to support their claims. The panel heard testimonies from various experts, with some stating that there was enough evidence for an impeachment inquiry but not enough to justify impeachment charges. Another witness criticized the panel for being driven by partisan concerns. Republicans allege that Biden and his family personally profited from policies he pursued as vice president, while the Justice Department interfered with a tax investigation of Hunter Biden.

The White House dismissed the inquiry as unfounded and politically motivated, with the next presidential election in mind. It is uncertain if House Republicans will have enough votes at the end of the inquiry to support impeachment. Even if they succeed in impeaching Biden, the Democratic-controlled Senate is unlikely to vote for his removal from office. At the core of the investigation are claims that Biden pressured Ukraine to fire a top prosecutor to protect a company on which Hunter Biden served as a board member. Numerous officials have maintained that Biden was merely carrying out official policy against corruption in Ukraine. Democrats attempted to subpoena former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Lev Parnas, an associate who denounced Giuliani’s efforts, but their requests were unsuccessful. House Republicans plan to seek bank records for Hunter Biden and the president’s brother, James Biden.

The hearing coincided with a standoff between House Republicans and Democrats over government funding for the upcoming fiscal year, with a potential shutdown looming. The White House warned of the damaging consequences for the American people if an agreement is not reached. Rep. Jamie Raskin, the panel’s top Democrat, claimed that Republicans had been pressured by former President Trump to impeach Biden. Trump himself had been impeached twice during his presidency and now faces multiple criminal trials.

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