Republicans ‘top priority’ is to probe Bidens

One day after retaking a majority in the US House of Representa­tives, Republicans have said they will investigate the president’s family as a “top priority”.

The lawmakers said the inquiry would focus on overseas business dealings of the presi­dent’s son, Hunter Biden.

The 52-year-old is already un­der federal investigation, but has so far not faced any charges. The younger Biden is not involved with the administration in any capacity.

But top Republicans insist their inquiry will determine the extent of Joe Biden’s alleged involvement in his son’s business dealings, including during the el­der Biden’s time as vice-president.

In an interim report released at a press conference on Thurs­day, they argued that the pres­ident had lied to the American people about his alleged involve­ment in his family’s business dealings.

“The president’s participation in enriching his family is, in a word, abuse of the highest order,” said James Comer, the incoming chairman of the House Oversight Committee.

“I want to be clear: this is an investigation of Joe Biden, and that’s where our focus will be next Congress.”

They accused Hunter Biden of crimes, including tax eva­sion and wire fraud, but did not announce any immediate plans to summon him to testify.

Christopher Clark, a lawyer for Hunter Biden, told the BBC his client had no comment about the Republican announcement.

Mr Comer was joined at the press conference by Congress­man, Jim Jordan, who is expect­ed to become chairman of the

 House Judiciary Committee.

The Ohio Republican later tweeted: “The Biden Family’s business deals are a national secu­rity threat.”

Officials with the Democratic National Committee have hit back by circulating a memo that refers to Mr Comer, a Kentucky congressman, as “a Trump apolo­gist who has made clear that his phony investigations are political exercises designed to hurt Presi­dent Biden”.

The White House said the in­quiries were politically motivated.

Spokesman Ian Sams said: “Instead of working with Presi­dent Biden to address issues im­portant to the American people, like lower costs, congressional Republicans’ top priority is to go after President Biden with politi­cally motivated attacks chock-full of long-debunked conspiracy theories.” —BBC