As US Democrats hold convention, House Republicans push for Biden's impeachment

ISTANBUL

As US President Joe Biden prepared to deliver Monday night’s keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention, House Republicans released a 291-page report accusing him of "impeachable conduct" and calling for his removal from office, local media reported on Monday.

Voice of America (VOA) said the report, produced by the three key House committees, reiterates long-standing allegations by Republicans that Biden, both as president and vice president, engaged in abuses of power and obstructed congressional investigations.

In a statement, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan said the timing of the report’s release was deliberate: "As Democrats celebrate Joe Biden ... Americans should remember the reality of the Biden-Harris administration: crime, chaos, and corruption."

But White House spokesperson Sharon Yang dismissed the report, saying in an email sent to VOA: "After wasting nearly two years and millions of taxpayer dollars, House Republicans have finally given up on their wild goose chase ... The American people deserve more from House Republicans."

Despite years of investigation into Biden's financial dealings and those of his family, the report offers no direct evidence linking Biden to any misuse of his office to benefit his son or brother, according to VOA.

Instead, the report suggests Biden's interactions with his family members' clients constitute an "abuse of power."

Experts have criticized the case as lacking substance. Michael Gerhardt, a constitutional law professor told VOA: "We're looking for some kind of serious misconduct that hurts the republic ... I don't think we have either of those things here."

The path to impeachment remains uncertain, with House Speaker Mike Johnson encouraging the public to read the report in a statement Monday but not committing to bringing an impeachment vote to the floor.

Analysts say the report merely repackages old claims that have gone nowhere, and with Biden set to leave the presidency in January, as he gave up his reelection bid in favor of Vice President Kamala Harris, the push to impeach him has lost much of its purpose.