Should an impeachment inquiry be conducted against Joe Biden?

[Lliam]

Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) announced on Sept. 12 that the House will open an impeachment inquiry to investigate the possible involvement of President Joe Biden in the business dealings of his son Hunter Biden.

“House Republicans have uncovered serious and credible allegations into President Biden's conduct. Taken together these allegations paint a picture of a culture of corruption,” Mr. McCarthy said.

“Today I am directing our house committee to open a formal impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. This logical next step will give our committees, the full power to gather all the facts and answers for the American public,” Mr. McCarthy said.

https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/mccarthy-announces-impeachment-inquiry-on-biden-5490173?src_src=News&src_cmp=rtbreaking-2023-09-12-1&est=9VTtmCD2eP0jZXsLC4cWF1bQo7LeUugmm9rgKlWqHlY5lWBqCikZby%2Fm16IqkVL12Q%3D%3D

[nightdrot]

Well, insofar as an impeachment inquiry merely gives Congress authority to look into certain documents and other data from the Executive branch, this would seem a prudent and reasonable step. The existing evidence at least suggesting that the President has been involved in activities that he had previously stated he was not involved with.

At this stage, in a court of law, Mr. Biden could not yet be convicted of any crime. Yet there is sufficient grounds for pursuing an investigation and, if this were a regular civilian criminal case, warrants would be issued. This, in effect, is what an impeachment inquiry is.

What it is not is an impeachment. Indeed, so far at least, the Republicans have acted with relative caution. This in contrast to the "impeachment-oramas" that the Democrats went after Mr. Trump. This, I add, as absolutely no fan of Mr. Trump.

Suffice to add that if the Democrats had started with an impeachment inquiry against Mr. Trump, they likely would have looked less like the political hypocrites that they now appear to be. Instead they, twice no less, jumped immediately to impeachments.

Whatever the merits against Mr. Biden may proved to be, an impeachment inquiry is a reasonable starting point. Impeachment was supposed to be a constitutional nuclear weapon, not the immediate "go to" into which the Democrats turned it into under Mr. Trump. So in that sense the Republicans are moving with a degree of prudence and caution that the circumstances warrant - all the media hype and Democrat hair pulling notwithstanding.

[Anonymous]

sure why not , it seems like there is something to this story so an investigation isn't unreasonable and might get some answers as to why it keeps coming up as an issue

[AngryCarl2]

It comes up because Republicans aren't interested in real issues and Biden is living rent free in their heads. Just saying.

[Screenwriter]

They've been investigating Hunter Biden for six years. Why has this impeachment thing suddenly come up? Wasn't all this evidence around six years ago? Should've prevented him from becoming president, or impeached him immediately. Why weren't these charges brought when he was vice president, because this happened when he was in Obama White House, didn't it?

I think it's turnabout in face of what Trump is undergoing. But, we'll see what's revealed.

My general contention is Biden is a more careful than to involve himself in wheeler-dealing with a son who's an addict and who's fathered a child with a stripper. It sounds more like a bad soap opera than anything impeachable.

[exitseven]

I ma of two minds on this. There is no way they will get a conviction so why bother and even if he was impeached it might be better to have Biden stay in the race because he is so mentally compromised President Trump will beat him like a drum. On the other hand, the American people deserver to know what he has been doing for the last 50 years. How ha managed to become a multi multi millionaire on a Senator's salary and how his son was on the Buriama board even though the knows nothing about energy or Ukrsine.

[ScisorsAndRaisins]

Impeachment won't keep him out of the race.

[Daniela1982]

No doubt he is a crook.

[exitseven]

@ScisorsAndRaisins Yes but if after a thorough investigation there is no doubt that he is guilty maybe a few democrats might vote to convict him.

[ScisorsAndRaisins]

Winner Winner chicken dinner.
That's what it's all about.

[normalice]

There's supposed to be a crime first and then an inquiry. Unfortunately, republicans just want to weaponize investigations to create the rumor of corruption, because they know if they tried to run against the nonstop success of Bidens policies they would never see the inside of the Whitehouse again.

But, to be fair, people voted for this. Republicans campaigned on putting on a show but otherwise doing no work and won the house despite that.

So, here we go I suppose. They're not going to trick anyone that doesn't want to be tricked. And like Clinton's impeachment showed they're more likely to boost Bidens favorability as they add to the mounting pile of nothingburgers they've already accumulated when it comes to investigating Biden. Although, surely they have learned from the Clinton impeachment and know how to squeeze more rage into their viewers to head off the obvious conclusion that republicans just made everything up..

[lightbulb27]

nonstop success?

[normalice]

@lightbulb27 yeah. It's one of those "pick a metric" situations where there is just nothing, at all, to ding him on except his age.

[normalice]

Oh, well I suppose there is inflation, but that 1) is cooling and 2) is lower in the US than pretty much anywhere in the world.

And bonus 3) republicans hav3 done Jack about it, anyway..

[lightbulb27]

see a border issue... war implicated by us policy, deficits up high, massive inflation after changes in oil policy, huge uptick in crime... but can't see in the metrics since police no longer pursue or record many crimes. If need references, I'll send. not 100% their fault, but they arein the big seat.

[RealMarek]

@normalice “1) is cooling and 2) is lower in the US than pretty much anywhere in the world.

And bonus 3) republicans hav3 done Jack about it, anyway..”

1) It only cooled temporarily due to drawing oil out of the strategic petroleum reserve and the effect of Powell’s (against Biden’s wishes) interest rate hikes. Drawing from the SPR is pure smoke and mirrors at the cost of a permanent reduction in the SPR’s capacity to hold oil due to the massive drawdown in reservoir pressure. One of the stupidest, most self-interested policy decisions ever. Now that the SPR is severely depleted and commercial stocks are being drawn down by 1-2 million barrels per week, that game is almost over. They’ll likely be sucking tank bottoms in Cushing within 6-8 weeks, and that should send crude oil toward $100/bbl, and inflation will bite hard.

2) No. Inflation is lower in Russia. The only reason inflation is higher in Europe than here is because we cut them off from the cheap supply of Russian-produced energy. This dooms Germany’s industrial base and guarantees high inflation and lower standard of living for Europe.

3) I agree. The likes of McConnell and McCarthy who run the GOP are absolutely worthless, like the rest of our political class and ruling elites. But let’s not pretend Biden has nothing but successes when he’s causing dedollarization and turning the US into a banana republic.

And, by the way, naming David Weiss, who tried to sneak a sweetheart deal into Hunter’s plea bargain, as special counsel despite the fact that he works in the Administration, which by law disqualifies him, is an impeachable offense. This is not my opinion, but Jonathan Turley’s.

[normalice]

sorry, both of you, but I don't intend to read any of that. I've seen the facts. They are what I say. You just repeating what far right misinformation told you to think to keep you mad isn't going to convince anyone who hasn't already decided to be comvinced.

[Lliam]

Hear that, RealMarek, you're just parroting far-right misinformation. ROFL @normalice knows that because he didn't read what you had to say. 🙉🙈 🤡 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[RealMarek]

@Lliam 🤦🏻‍♂️ Lol! This reminds me of an NYT article about how we shouldn’t investigate anything for ourselves because we could draw incorrect conclusions, but leave the thinking to the “experts” in the mainstream media. And of course, the MSM tells us Uncle Joe is as pure as the driven snow and has an unparalleled track record of success. But this fellow throws caution to the wind and digs deeper than the headlines. He “sees the facts,” and “the facts” are what he says. Well, why are his facts contradicting SPR draws and oil inventories at the Cushing hub as reported in government data?

So @normalice … Is the government lying about oil inventories? If so, why is Uncle Joe lying to you in a way that makes him and his henchmen look like complete morons? If not, why do you think your “facts” are better than the Biden Admin’s own official numbers? Is it legal to name a government employee as special prosecutor or not? Even the CIA and FBI edited, very left-wing, very Democrat friendly Wikipedia says “The special counsel regulations specify that a special counsel must be a lawyer from outside the US government.” So is Wikipedia quoting “far-right misinformation?” If not, isn’t the Biden Administration flagrantly violating the law? How do you square this circle? I must assume you are arguing in bad faith or just have a weird emotional attachment to Uncle Joe.

[Juxtapose]

Hahaha he openly admits he won't even read it but yet he expects you to read his shit? Man fuck that! I hate what the left has become.

[normalice]

I don't actually care if you read my replies. But I will point out they are much shorter than yours, so if you wanted to, it wouldn't take you all day to gather the resolve to wade through a bunch of bullshit - in part because I only convey facts, unlike you right ragetards, but also because even if none of it makes any sense, it's still just a few sentences 🤷

[lightbulb27]

@normalice I'll stop the discussion since not possible. But I'm listening to the nyc mayor go into panic mode about the immigrant problem, he was a party of promoting... and blames the guy in Texas, whose been complaining to Biden/Harris, whom for the longest time.. had an open border policy literally saying "come on in". you may agree with the policy, but many don't, including the democrats whom are now having to deal with the issues they promoted.
p. s. what part of the country are you in? how you see what you see is beyond me.
Do you take medications?

[RealMarek]

@normalice Okay, this is short: TLDR Biden’s own oil inventory data and the US code prove you are wrong on the facts.

[RealMarek]

@Juxtapose These responses are probably doing more to drive people into the “far right” (lol) camp than any arguments I could construct.

[normalice]

@RealMarek Oil inventory data isn't a metric that shows the health of the economy.. I understand the far right fake news probably contrived some ragetarded interpretation to convince you it was, but it's not. Sorry. And I know knowing that it's not isn't going to stop you from clinging to it, though, which is why I don't type up multi paragraph replies to ragetards unless I'm bored on the toilet. I'm well aware I can't compete with the billions being dumped into far right disinfotainment. Indeed its not even a game. They own you. You are nothing without them. What could I possibly offer over the internet that would cure your rage addiction and convince you to kick the habit forever? Nothing..

[RealMarek]

@normalice So, the supply side of the supply and demand equation doesn’t affect the health of the economy? We’ll see how that works out. As for “far right misinformation,” that’s not at all where I’m coming up with these points. I actually look at crude oil supplies and draws, and the bit about the special counsel rules came from the MSM and Wikipedia.

[normalice]

@RealMarek I never said it doesn't affect the health. I'm saying it's not a metric that shows the health. Like "how many knives are in your foot" isn't a metric that shows your health, but it does affect it.

A metric that might show the health, however, is number of EV sales and green energy jobs, as they reduce our dependence on foreign oil prices. Oh, I guess it might be news to you so I'll go ahead and say it but Saudi oil production is not, in fact, the sole responsibility of democrats, as far right media seems to have presumed every day oil prices were high for the last 40 years.

[RealMarek]

@normalice You should probably gather from my previous comments that I know something about oil and gas. OPEC has always had the ability to cut or add production. But we have abilities too. Depleting and damaging the SPR and disincentivizing domestic oil drilling in the process, basically guaranteeing a future supply crisis, for political gain is not “success” in my book. But hey, you do you.

[normalice]

@RealMarek I didn't gather anything of the sort. I did gather that you believe whatever the far right fake news tells you to believe. And if you were trying to show that I was premature in that gathering Im afraid you've accomplished the opposite.

The simple fact is there isn't a scenario in which republicans would admit that any Democrat has done well economically. They can't, because it flies in the face of their "give more money to the rich" staning policy when not giving more money to the rich proves to be in any way beneficial to someone besides rich people. So, these days if anyone is arguing against Biden's economic successes in a way that suggests republicans would be better, they are full of shit. And not the tidy mushy kind but the non-homogeneous, runny in some places, clumpy in others, bits of corn and blood type of shit. Garbage from head to toe I'd rather flush down something than pretend for an instant their bad faith bullshit deserves anyone's attention.

[RealMarek]

@normalice I’m not a Republican and I am not suggesting the Republicans would do better. You are way off base. I just said Biden’s track record is not one of constant success and proved it with factual statements that you continue to ignore or falsely ascribe to “far right misinformation.” I don’t think we’ll agree on any of this.

[normalice]

@RealMarek correct. For starters, I dont agree you aren't a republican. I'm sure you don't admit it to yourself, maybe. But I'm also sure you 100% plan to vote for republicans. But you, like so many other "not republicans" on the internet, are well aware that admitting you are a republican costs you credibility which reduces the chances of your misinformation being taken seriously. So, you lie freely.

[RealMarek]

@normalice Make up whatever stories you want to make up about me if it makes you feel good. Keep in mind that calling someone a liar without evidence is slimy. I’ve not done that to you.

[normalice]

@RealMarek it's not really making anything up so much as extrapolating a trend among Biden critics. If you have a critical mass of counterexamples, or even just one,, please provide it.

[RealMarek]

@normalice Examples: libertarians, dissident right and paleoconservatives, some independents, people who are entirely disaffected from our political class. Of course, most critics of Biden are Republican voters just because the two major parties have a duopoly on political action in this country. It is stupid to simply assume that because of this every critic of Biden is a Republican.

[normalice]

@RealMarek those aren't counterexamples. I'm asking for a critical mass of examples of republican Biden critics who admit to his economic successes to counter my claim that there aren't republican Biden critics who will admit to Biden's economic success. But already knowing you won't find such a critical mass, I'm asking for just one example.

[Juxtapose]

@RealMarek no kidding 😂

[RealMarek]

@normalice I thought you were asking for examples of groups critical of Biden that do not vote Republican. There is one group of Republicans happy with Joe Biden’s economic policies, which have served to concentrate wealth in the hands of the elites: establishment, elite Republicans. This is why, despite the fact that you believe it is impossible that I would not vote Republican, I don’t vote Republican. Now, do these elites praise Joe Biden for anything? Of course not, because they would like a chance to be the party in power that serves the banking elites. As for other Republicans, none of them will talk about Joe Biden’s supposed economic success because they believe the economic outcomes of his policies (dangerously reduced energy sources, massive growth of low-wage shit jobs, massive concentration of wealth to the elites, skyrocketing inflation - today’s number came in hot, skyrocketing interest rates, and the deindustrialization of Germany constitute failure, not success. As for GDP, I say f*** GDP. Most people don’t benefit from it when the gain is hoarded by the coastal elites.

[RealMarek]

@Juxtapose I’m a glutton for punishment.

[normalice]

@RealMarek so, no examples. Just vaguely stating they exist. Of course of course 🤭

[RealMarek]

@normalice It’s absurd to think everyone who criticizes Biden votes Republican. I could find examples of people who would vote for neither party’s candidate and also criticize Biden, but you’ll come back and say they are lying.

[normalice]

@RealMarek what I asked for is a Biden critic that acknowledges any of Biden's successes. I'd like to say I'm confused by why you're pretending not to understand this after repeating it three times, but of course I know exactly why..

[normalice]

And thats economic successes, specifically.

[normalice]

Welp. You do seem like you are at least trying to appear reasonable and there just isn't any other activity on this site at the moment. I've learned over and over not to extend the benefit of the doubt to anyone who appears to be a far right troll trying to appear reasonable, because they usually turn out to, indeed, just be pushing an agenda. But, on the off chance you are genuinely trying to understand, you're in luck (?) because im on the toilet. So let's go through this.

If, as I claim, there isn't a scenario in which someone who wants republican economic policies would acknowledge any of Biden's economic successes (and as you have yet to provide a single counterexample, let alone a critical mass of them, I'll assume you agree) then what reason is there to assume the person you get your interpretation of the facts from (who presumably wants republican economic policies) has interpreted them in good faith so that you could give Biden credit where it was due? Instead, why wouldn't you assume they are doing the opposite: interpreting and cherry picking only the facts that eliminate any possibility of giving Biden credit for anything?

[normalice]

The people who want the rich to have all the money (the opposite of Biden's economic goals) own all the media. And they are very good using victimhood, entertainment, outrage, and so on to keep the disinterested public going in any direction other than in the direction of Bidens economic policies. Just watch any media at all, even "liberal" media. Is there a single Biden supporter ever interviewed anywhere that isn't a Democrat for a living? Compare that to the countless excursions by the media into Trump country there have been to see what Trump loyalists think.

The people you get your information from don't want Biden's policies to work and specifically don't want you to know that they work. Running a mass psyop to get people to vote against it is their only play to stop it. This is good and bad - good because we need only to hold to reality to stop them, but bad because, since it is their only play, they have invested billions into think tanks, media empires, journalists, academic groups, training, personalities, influencers, and on and on such that every possible way of getting information to you is something they can either mimic with more attractive presentation or hijack altogether. Your feelings about Biden are exactly what the people who want all the money want you to feel, who are also the same people who own all the media. I've never had the patience for those connect the dots drawing books but this one seems real easy..

[RealMarek]

@normalice I don’t care whether or not there are Republicans who will praise Biden’s economic decisions. I view the GOP as controlled opposition and most of our politics as little more than theater. My objection was to your assertion that I must vote Republican because I criticize Biden’s economic policies. You are making the following fallacy: All apples are red, therefore all red fruits are apples.

[normalice]

@RealMarek yeah, I should know not to assume anyone who appears to be a far right troll might be arguing in good faith. But, I tried anyway. Your objection was the first thing you replied with. A bunch of bullshit you know is misinformation because you heard it from someone who wants non-republican economic policies to fail. I can no longer believe you are participating in that on accident. You're a troll on purpose. There is no other explanation. 🤷

[RealMarek]

@normalice This is ridiculous. I never set out to prove that a large number of Republicans would be willing to praise Joe Biden. In fact, when you complained that none would, I even said:

“I’m not a Republican and I am not suggesting the Republicans would do better.”

But then you accused me of lying:

“For starters, I dont agree you aren't a republican.”

Then you mentioned again that you wanted one example of a group of Republicans who will praise Joe Biden on his economic policies. I said there isn’t a group of Republicans that will do so:

“There is one group of Republicans happy with Joe Biden’s economic policies…elite Republicans… Now, do these elites praise Joe Biden for anything? Of course not, because they would like a chance to be the party in power that serves the banking elites.”

Why are you so worked up about this? Just because you demand an example of this or that doesn’t mean I’m obliged to give you one. I never agreed to name a group of Republicans that would praise Joe Biden’s economic policies. I couldn’t care less about this because I’m not a Republican and detest the GOP’s establishment leaders. Furthermore, none of this stupid low politics proves anything about Joe Biden’s disastrous economic policies. The hard data (not talking points, but government-issued data) does.

[normalice]

@RealMarek you don't have to try to deflect from having no examples. I'm not interested. I know you don't because it's basically your job to have none.

You don't want to acknowledge Bidens economic policies of not giving more money to the rich work, because you want to give more money to the rich. That's. It.

[RealMarek]

@normalice If you have ever read my posts, you would know I literally want to expropriate the wealth of our elites without compensation. Biden gives tons of money to the rich. His policies are excellent for the affluent (who rack up 5% interest on cash) and ruinous for the working class (who cannot amass cash at all due to shrinking real wages).

[normalice]

@RealMareki know enough. You will never acknowledge bidens economic successes and willfully refuse to expose yourself to any source of information that might. The is no other reason to do this other than because you want the rich to have more money. No matter what you say that's what you do. So, you're a confirmed liar, now 🤷

[ScisorsAndRaisins]

Absolutely not! Just put it to a vote with no inquiry. I can think of about 20 reasons he should be impeached. I don't even understand why there should be an inquiry.

Biden should be impeached 20 times.

Kamala should be impeached.

Garland should be impeached.

Mallorca should be impeached.

Christopher A. Wray should get a lethal injection

[sage2021]

Definitely yes!!! He is a nobody, well, he's a liar but that's all. Why should he be able to get away with crimes he committed?
Put him through the ringer like they are doing to Trump. He deserves to have HIS hands sweat for a change.

[jshm2]

Sure! as it's just more Republican time wasting, and they can "blame" it when they lose the next election as a result.

You see, if there was any credible evidence (like with Trump and his "lost" election) then it would be before a court, like yesterday.

But that they only want an "inquiry" means they have no facts or evidence, but want time and funds to dedicate to it.

[FunkyMonkee]

ABSOLUTELY but, what good is it gonna do if it's not gonna take him out of office? From what I've seen, being impeached is nothing more than somebody coming up to you and putting a sticker on you that says, "Impeached". If it doesn't stop anything or mean anything, why bother?

[Anonymous]

as much as i would like this guy impeached, unfortunately then we'll have to deal with kamala, which would be 10x worse. i just can't wait until his term is completely over and we get a new president elected. and NOT kamala.

[TrueConfection]

A serious one, with actual consequences? Yes.

Not another one where both parties say, "yeah well, it's okay."

[gorydetails]

“We’re going to open an inquiry to possibly look into the idea of maybe investigating and possibly take action against a president that will have no permanent damage to the Biden administration”

Iow, nothing will happen from these loser republicans.

[AngryCarl2]

The hypocrisy of the Republicans is breathtaking. When Trump was impeached for clear and solid reasons they called it a political stunt. Their "inquiry" is nothing more than a "fishing expedition". They're fishing in the wrong river and they will wind up looking as stupid as they already are.

[Yabbut]

I'm sick of hearing McCarthy talk. Just DO something, already!

[Dargil]

I think yes. There seems to be probable cause.

[inhua]

this would give Joey a heart attack and accelerate him to his grave even faster

[Tessafowler03]

I think impeachment should be conducted on every member of gop

[Paige90]

It should have been done a long time ago!

[Juxtapose]

It won't ever pass the Senate so what's the point? To send a message?

[Lliam]

The purpose of the inquiry is to subpoena documents. It's not an impeachment.

[Juxtapose]

Fair enough!

[BarryLiverstone]

Nope. Let’s stop wasting time and instead create laws to help the country

[Andres77]

Bring it. Yes!

[Pterodon]

Yes.

[QuietRunner]

oh yes