Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) stated on Friday's episode of MSNBC's "Deadline" that he believed Speaker Kevin McCarthy's (R-CA) opening of an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden was part of a "evidence-free impeachment proceeding."
Schiff's comments were made in reference to the impeachment investigation that McCarthy opened into Biden, as Breitbart News reported.
Anchor Nicolle Wallace said, “With Republican House members confession that there’s zero evidence linking President Joe Biden to anything worthy of an impeachment.
The host went on to ask, not seeming to hide her opinion the issue, saying "What do you make of the sham? We call it an impeachment inquiry.”
Schiff said, “Well, I mean, it is such a contrast from the methodical way we went about gathering the evidence in the first impeachment and the seriousness with which we took the responsibility of finding high crimes and misdemeanors to what we see today, which is essentially an evidence-free impeachment proceeding of some kind, and for what?
"Because Kevin McCarthy needs something to throw the right-wing base in order to get them not to shut down the government.”
The California lawmaker added, “Is that now what the standard is going to be for impeachment in the future? That if you’re a very weak speaker and a single vote can call a vote to remove you that, you can begin some kind of impeachment something in order to keep the government open. Is that really where we’ve come? And sadly, the answer is yes.”
Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced on Tuesday that he is directing the U.S. House to initiate an impeachment investigation into President Joe Biden over his family's business dealings, initiating historic proceedings ahead of the 2024 presidential election, as The Associated Press reported.
McCarthy stated that House investigations to date "paint a picture of a culture of corruption" surrounding the Biden family, as Republicans investigate the business transactions of the president's son, Hunter Biden, prior to the Democratic president's inauguration.
“These are allegations of abuse of power, obstruction and corruption, and they warrant further investigation by the House of Representatives,” McCarthy said at the Capitol, announcing he was directing the House led by the Oversight Committee “to open a formal impeachment inquiry.”
In response, the White House referred to the action during the presidential campaign as "extreme politics at its worst."
“House Republicans have been investigating the president for nine months, and they’ve turned up no evidence of wrongdoing,” said White House spokesman Ian Sams.
McCarthy faces mounting pressure from his right flank to take action against Biden while also struggling to find sufficient agreement within the lower chamber of Congress to pass legislation necessary to prevent a government closure at the end of the month.
Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer will lead the investigation in coordination with Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan and Ways & Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith. They will brief the Senate on Wednesday across the Capitol.
