Biden’s Impeachment is the House Republicans’ top priority in the coming months. They are gearing up to make the push for impeachment proceedings. Speaker Kevin McCarthy is facing increasing pressure from the party’s right flank, which is eager to target President Joe Biden and his Cabinet.
Focus of Biden’s Impeachment
The focus of the impeachment, specifically targeting Attorney General Merrick Garland and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, showcases the Republicans’ shift towards issues that resonate with their base. Similarly, there is a great divide among GOP members on the possibility of voter backlash from this aggressive approach.
From July to September, high-profile testimony is scheduled from three Cabinet officials who have been vital impeachment targets for Republicans: Mayorkas, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and Garland.
Recently, McCarthy announced the possibility of opening an impeachment inquiry into Garland if the claims made by an IRS whistleblower regarding alleged interference in the Hunter Biden case prove to be true. This idea has gained traction among the far-right faction of the party.
McCarthy’s comments generated momentum, as he appeared alongside House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan on Fox News to reaffirm his stance. Jordan collected interview transcription with FBI officials, the Department of Justice, and the IRS involved in the Hunter Biden case. This interview includes Attorney David Weiss, who supervised the criminal probe. Garland has denied allegations of improper interference by the Justice Department.
JUST IN: Impeachment Resolution to REMOVE JOE BIDEN FROM OFFICE passes House floor, moves to Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees..
— Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) June 22, 2023
Impeaching President Joe Biden
The Republicans are pushing for an investigation into handling the U.S. border with Mexico, which they claim constitutes “high crimes and misdemeanors.” Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) surprised her fellow Republicans with an unscripted move to force a snap vote on the impeachment resolution.
Some Republican members consider the impeachment a political distraction from other priorities. But, the action has been sent to congressional committees for possible consideration.
The voting to impeach Biden as House Republicans’ top priority was tough for GOP legislators. Breaking McCarthy’s party is potentially uncomfortable for him. In a secret gathering Wednesday, McCarthy urged lawmakers to consider the conventional method for bringing such significant legislation forward.
Pressure to Initiate Biden Impeachment Proceedings
Pressure is mounting on House GOP leaders and committee chairs to start formal impeachment proceedings against the president himself.
Furthermore, the House Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green is conducting a multi-phase investigation into Mayorkas, specifically regarding issues at the southern border. Green expects this investigation to result in an impeachment recommendation to the House Judiciary Committee by September. His council prepares to reexamine Biden’s handling of the border as part of the probe.
Republicans also focus on Attorney General Merrick Garland and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas regarding issues that resonate with their base, such as the Hunter Biden case.
U.S. Constitution Impeachment Process
In the U.S. Constitution, impeachment is a process that allows for removing federal officials for “high crimes and misdemeanors.” The process begins with an investigation by the House of Representatives, which can initiate the proceedings by passing articles of impeachment with a simple majority vote. The case then advances to the Senate office to get the two-thirds vote to convict and remove the official from office.
Arguably, Republicans have been criticizing the administration’s policies and actions. And yet, impeachment is not a political tool to remove an official from office because of policy disagreements. Impeachment is a severe lawful process to remove federal officials who commit serious offenses.
Written by Janet Grace Ortigas
Sources:
PBS: House Republicans move Biden impeachment forward as hard-right clamors for action; by Lisa Mascaro
CNN: Impeachment push set to take center stage in House, bringing new chapter for GOP; by
The New York Times: Divided House Sidesteps Biden Impeachment Vote but Starts Inquiry; by Annie Karni and Luke Broadwater
CBC: Impeach Joe Biden? The idea is growing among some Republicans in Congress; by Alexander Panetta
Featured and Top Image by Gage Skidmore Courtesy of Flickr – Creative Commons License
Inset Image by Gilbert Mercier Courtesy of Flickr – Creative Commons License
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