House Republicans have taken a significant step by issuing criminal referrals against President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, and his brother, James Biden. The referrals accuse them of making false statements to Congress during the GOP's yearlong impeachment inquiry. The House Oversight and Accountability, Judiciary, and Ways and Means committees sent a letter to the Justice Department recommending the prosecution of the Bidens, alleging that they made a 'conscious effort' to undermine the House's investigation.
Both Hunter and James Biden have denied the allegations, with their attorneys dismissing the referrals as a partisan attempt to distract from the failed impeachment inquiry. Hunter Biden is currently facing legal challenges in a federal court in Delaware for three felony charges related to the purchase of a gun in 2018. Prosecutors have accused him of lying on the gun application and illegally possessing the weapon.
Republicans on Capitol Hill continue their investigation into the Biden family's business dealings, aiming to link the Democratic president to his son's activities. Despite lengthy interviews with lawmakers, no direct evidence implicating Joe Biden in any wrongdoing has been uncovered.
Rep. Jason Smith, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, highlighted testimony from IRS whistleblowers alleging that Hunter Biden lied to Congress multiple times during his deposition. Smith emphasized the seriousness of lying to Congress and called for appropriate action by the Justice Department.
The focus on the Biden family has become a political and personal concern for President Biden, particularly as the 2024 White House election approaches. Republicans have criticized the Justice Department for what they perceive as a biased approach to justice, while Democrats argue that the investigations have yielded no substantial evidence of wrongdoing by the president.
House Speaker Mike Johnson urged Attorney General Merrick Garland to open criminal investigations into James and Hunter Biden under the false statements and perjury statutes. The allegations against the Bidens include false statements about their business dealings and interactions with foreign entities.
House Democrats have criticized the Republican-led investigation, labeling it as fruitless and aimed at targeting the president's family. They maintain that President Biden was not involved in or benefited from his family members' business ventures.
