Kevin McCarthy, speaker of the United States house of representatives, says a formal impeachment inquiry will be opened about President Joe Biden.
McCarthy, who spoke on Tuesday, said the inquiry would focus on “allegations of abuse of power, obstruction and corruption” by the president.
The speaker’s announcement comes amid months of pressure from the Republicans in the Congress’ lower body to move swiftly in opening an impeachment inquiry about Biden.
Biden, who is running for a second term, has been accused of “weaponising” the justice department against political opponents to protect Hunter, his son.
In June, Hunter pleaded guilty to two tax crimes and struck a deal with federal prosecutors regarding a separate felony gun charge while he was a drug user.
Critics of Biden’s governments have alleged that Hunter’s dealings and repeated run-ins with the law indicate a pattern of corruption.
In a brief statement at the US Capitol, McCarthy said there were “serious and credible” allegations involving the president’s conduct.
“Taken together, these allegations paint a picture of a culture of corruption,” he said.
“They warrant further investigation by the house of representatives. That’s why today I am directing our house (committees) to open a formal impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.”
Ian Sams, spokesperson for the White House, condemned the move and labelled it as extreme politics.
“House Republicans have been investigating the President for 9 months, and they’ve turned up no evidence of wrongdoing…His own GOP members have said so…He vowed to hold a vote to open impeachment, now he flip flopped because he doesn’t have support… Extreme politics at its worst,” Sams tweeted.
McCarthy did not mention when votes would be cast to launch the inquiry.
If followed through, the inquiry will give congressional investigators greater legal authority to investigate the president, including by issuing subpoenas for documents and testimony.