House Oversight Chairman James Comer has extended an official invitation to President Joe Biden to testify at a public hearing, as House Republicans seek to reignite interest in their stalled impeachment inquiry into the president. Despite the White House dismissing the move as “a sad stunt,” Comer proposed April 16 as a potential date for the hearing, expressing openness to negotiate a suitable time with the president’s schedule.
Invitation from James Comer
The invitation comes amid Republican struggles to uncover evidence of wrongdoing by Biden and growing doubts within GOP ranks about the feasibility of impeaching Biden due to a lack of votes in their narrow majority. Consequently, Republicans are contemplating ending the investigation by sending criminal referrals to the Department of Justice, driven by pressure from the right-wing base to hold Biden accountable.
Despite over 14 months of investigation, involving extensive document reviews and numerous interviews, Republicans have failed to substantiate their core allegations against the president. Nevertheless, Comer, in his letter to Biden, outlined the investigative phases, including obtaining bank records and witness testimony, which prompted the request for the president’s testimony.
Comer’s letter also posed questions for Biden, particularly regarding his involvement with family sources of income and related business dealings. Despite testimony from Biden family associates indicating minimal interactions with the president on business matters, Comer remains insistent on clarifying these points.
As Republicans seek closure on the investigation in an election year, Comer has tempered expectations, emphasizing that his objective was never impeachment and pointing to the Democratic-controlled Senate as an impediment. Highlighting the unlikelihood of successful impeachment proceedings, Comer has advocated for criminal referrals as a more pragmatic resolution, given previous failed attempts to impeach Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
House Speaker Mike Johnson announced plans to forward the Mayorkas impeachment articles to the Senate on April 10, signaling a shift in focus within Republican ranks.