House Republicans have once again encountered a setback in their pursuit of impeaching President Biden, as a significant witness has discredited their claims during closed-door testimony.
In a session before the House Oversight and Judiciary Committees, Joe Biden’s brother addressed the allegations that have been at the forefront of the Republican-led charge against the president. Accusing the GOP of spreading falsehoods, Biden vehemently denied accusations of influence peddling by his family during the impeachment inquiry.
For nearly a year, Republicans have persistently alleged President Biden’s involvement in his family’s business dealings, particularly focusing on his brother and son, Hunter Biden, asserting that their proximity to the president was exploited for personal gain. However, Jim Biden, in his opening statement acquired by The New Republic, refuted each accusation outright.
Drawing upon his extensive 50-year career in diverse business ventures, Jim Biden clarified that Joe Biden had no direct or indirect financial stake in any of his activities. He emphasized that at no point did he request his brother to undertake any official actions benefiting him or his associates.
“I have relied on my own abilities and relationships in all my business endeavors, never leveraging my status as Joe Biden’s brother,” stated Biden, dismissing claims suggesting otherwise as either mistaken, misinformed, or intentionally deceptive.
Providing an overview of his business involvements over the years, including collaborations with his nephew Hunter, Jim Biden underscored that Joe Biden played no part and derived no benefits from these ventures.
Additionally, Republicans had pointed to two checks James Biden issued to his brother—a $200,000 labeled as “loan repayment” and another for $40,000—as evidence of profit sharing from his businesses. Jim Biden clarified that these were simply reimbursements for loans extended to him during financial difficulties.
“By appearing before the Committees today, the truth is evident that the negative assumptions about my relationship with my brother Joe are unfounded,” affirmed Biden, urging an end to the inquiry.
Despite the relentless assertions of Republican lawmakers regarding President Biden’s alleged corruption, they have yet to furnish any concrete evidence linking him to criminal misconduct. Moreover, recent developments have cast doubt on the credibility of the main informant behind the investigation.
Alexander Smirnov, a long-standing FBI informant with connections to Ukraine, had initially claimed to possess evidence of Biden and his son accepting bribes from a Ukrainian oligarch. However, he was recently charged with providing false information to the government. Furthermore, the Justice Department disclosed that Smirnov likely disseminated Russian disinformation while making these allegations against the Bidens.
