# "House to start an impeachment inquiry into President Biden" **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 12, 2023, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995 "2023-09-12T16:17:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2023, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/61 "2023-09-13T15:09:02Z")
You know, I’ve been wondering the same thing. For some odd reason, Republicans refuse to be specific about that minor detail. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2023, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/62 "2023-09-13T15:11:14Z")
This is such bullshit. 😠 ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2023, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/63 "2023-09-13T15:15:04Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > For some odd reason, Republicans refuse to be specific about that minor detail. Right. We all expected them to make up some fantasy allegation, but they seemed to have skipped that all-important step. ---
**Author:** ![MulderMuffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldermuffin/32/2862_2.png) [@MulderMuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MulderMuffin)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2023, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/64 "2023-09-13T15:32:44Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > > [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > > > I’ve been hearing that McCarthy agreed to the impeachment inquiry as part of the agreement he made to become speaker. I wonder why Gaetz is now suggesting that McCarthy broke the agreement. > > There’s some pretty deep cracks in the facade of the Republican party as they seem to lack anything resembling strong leadership. We’ve got one the weakest speakers in history and what other Republican is going to fill that roll? MTG perhaps? And speaking of rabbits (with big, huge, nasty fangs!), Brave Sir Kevin there could neuter the Wacko Caucus and their insane threats and demands by simply running away… to a meeting with Hakim Jeffries. He wouldn’t even have to promise anything big or against the (normie)Republican agenda. Just lay out that the crazies are gunning for him unless he dances like a monkey for them, but if Democrats promise to vote against removal, de-fanging the rabbit, he promises to put up an impeachment inquiry vote, which will almost certainly fail, and to vote on the budget that the Senate has already passed with bipartisan support. Win for everybody except the criminally insane. Dreams are nice, aren’t they? ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2023, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/65 "2023-09-13T15:38:45Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > Impeach him for what, exactly?.. > Jared Kushner took $2 billion from the Saudis. Billion, with a b. Well, that’s it right there. Biden didn’t stop an obvious bribery attempt. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2023, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/66 "2023-09-13T15:44:45Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > I know it’s contrived BS political theatre and there’s nothing behind it, but something will have to be read into the record, and I’m wondering exactly what the story is supposed to be here). There won’t be any substance. Just read the vague stuff they blame on Biden, and that will be the text of the impeachment. “He failed to secure the border, he failed to ensure election integrity, he’s illegally profited off his office.” No evidence, just the accusations. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2023, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/67 "2023-09-13T15:47:07Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > . “He failed to secure the border, They are really talking this up on Right Wing radio. They keep talking about “open border policy,” which I don’t think we have currently. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2023, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/68 "2023-09-13T16:32:08Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > What are they impeaching him for, and on what grounds? Already asked and answered in this thread. > [@"House to start an impeachment inquiry into President Biden"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/42): > > There are some details here: Republicans allege that Biden’s son Hunter has profited in business dealings with foreign entities by arranging access to then-Vice President Biden. They also allege that the president himself has profited. Separately, they also say that the Justice Department interfered with investigations into Hunter Biden’s taxes. U.S. Special Counsel David Weiss, who is leading that investigation, denies that charge. So nothing, really, but it’s the same old boring nothin… ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2023, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/69 "2023-09-13T16:39:14Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Right. We all expected them to make up some fantasy allegation, but they seemed to have skipped that all-important step. They are going to have a series of meetings to determine which fantasy allegation to use. It’s going to take some time. Essentially, McCarthy is giving the babies some toys to play with while he tries to put out some other fires. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2023, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/70 "2023-09-13T16:40:44Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > They keep talking about “open border policy,” which I don’t think we have currently. It exists in the minds and fantasies of the Right Wingers, and that’s Biden’s fault for making them think that way. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2023, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/71 "2023-09-13T17:45:35Z")
Sort of like the wife-beater’s “You made me hit you!” ---
**Author:** ![TeroSunbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terosunbear/32/14748_2.png) [@TeroSunbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeroSunbear)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2023, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/72 "2023-09-13T20:34:57Z")
They are both just playing with it. Gaetz knows he can’t get rid of McCarthy. That is the only deal he is ever going to get. So he can only pretend to threaten McCarthy. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2023, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/73 "2023-09-13T21:32:15Z")
Regarding “open borders” it’s worth being aware of the whole history of it. Hillary Clinton used the expression, one time. It was in a speech to business leaders, which, in context, very clearly meant free _trade_, not free movement of people. And the phrase has stuck, all this time, as an accusation against Democrats because: it works. MAGA and traditional conservatives alike seem to have no trouble believing it’s a real thing, and then being afraid of this invented bollocks. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2023, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/74 "2023-09-13T21:39:57Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Not necessarily. This could very well backfire on them. The end result might be that people are more careful before launching an impeachment. We will see. > [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > Even if it backfires, I don’t think they’ll learn anything from it. The midterms are example #1. Benghazi. It doesn’t have to work. It only has deliver the block of voters who will only read the headlines of their friendly media outlets. (Or have them read to them.) The key here is proving that it’s really just an election ploy. Using government resources in this way is illegal, and it’s past time somebody went to prison for it. MTG has been real clear about how badly she wants credit for this one. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2023, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/75 "2023-09-13T23:40:01Z")
I think backfire is more likely this time though. Because firstly the house republicans might tear each other apart e.g. if they oust McCarthy for not being craven enough, and we have another set of votes for a new speaker, it will be a big reminder of what a clown show they are. Then, bear in mind that while the “investigation” is happening there may be a televised Trump court case happening. If they are not landing real hits on Biden then even Trumpists might start to notice that one of these things is not like the other. Finally, if they really are dumb enough to bring up the southern border then they will just draw attention to how nonsensical talking points about “open borders” actually are. Maybe not in a way to pierce the MAGA bubble, but certainly in a way that will reach independents. ---
**Author:** ![Dissonance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85f322/32.png) [@Dissonance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dissonance)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/76 "2023-09-14T00:47:34Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > MTG has been real clear about how badly she wants credit for this one. 😉 Ain’t that the truth. “No Matt, impeachment way _my_ idea! Stop trying to steal credit!” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/3Nx0zXrzU18/maxresdefault.jpg "Matt Gaetz And Marjorie Taylor Greene Fight Over Which One Is Dumber") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Nx0zXrzU18&t=158s/) ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/77 "2023-09-14T04:20:03Z")
Oh man. And here I was referring to the squabble between MTG and Boebert! Spoilered for bad language. Hope this works. > [Marjorie Taylor Greene Calls Boebert a ‘Little Bitch’ on the House Floor](https://www.thedailybeast.com/marjorie-taylor-greene-calls-boebert-a-little-bitch-on-the-house-floor) ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/78 "2023-09-14T13:12:32Z")
One more reason this inquiry makes sense for the GOP: It reinforces the idea that government is wasteful and useless. Case in point: my wife. She’s a true-blue Democrat and to the left of me on many issues. Yet when this came up last night she said, “Can’t our government find anything better to do?” Me: You mean Republicans? Her: It takes two to tango. Me: So you think the Trump impeachments were wrong? Her: No, but I just wish Congress would focus on legislation instead of investigations of the other side. Me: 🙄 🙄 🙄 Now, there’s zero chance of my wife voting R or not voting. But if someone as blue as her can fall for the “government is wasteful and useless” narrative, so can millions of less committed people who just might not vote as a result. ---
**Author:** ![MulderMuffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldermuffin/32/2862_2.png) [@MulderMuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MulderMuffin)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/79 "2023-09-14T16:57:28Z")
Under trump’s DOJ they passed a rule that states an impeachment inquiry is illegitimate and has no power of subpoena or force of Congress unless and until it is formalized with a floor vote in the House. They were butt-hurt at the time because Pelosi began the inquiry before holding a vote to authorize it, so they issued a ruling. So until Kevin puts it to a vote and somehow gets it approved by a majority of the House this “impeachment inquiry” is just play-acting, much like they’ve been doing up until now with their “hearings” and “whistle-blowers”. They can’t compel witnesses or subpoena documents. They can only posture and bloviate. [How Donald Trump’s DOJ gave Biden a major assist in the coming impeachment probe - POLITICO](https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/12/trump-doj-assist-biden-impeachment-probe-00115393#:~:text=In%20January%202020%2C%20the%20Donald,formal%20votes%20to%20authorize%20them). > In January 2020, the Donald Trump-led Justice Department [formally declared](https://www.justice.gov/d9/opinions/attachments/2020/01/20/2020-01-19-impeach-invest.pdf) that impeachment inquiries by the House are invalid unless the chamber takes formal votes to authorize them. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/80 "2023-09-14T17:07:17Z")
> [@MulderMuffin](#): > > They can only posture and bloviate. You say that as if that is not good enough for their purposes. They’ll totally be able to sell this bloviating to their base. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995.md?page=5)