Biden brushes off House impeachment inquiry

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden late Wednesday brushed off the House Republicans' impeachment inquiry, saying the way he sees it, they launched the investigation against him because they want to shut down the federal government.

Biden, speaking at a Democratic fundraiser in Virginia, said that instead of being concerned about the probe, "I'm focused on the things the American people want me focused on."

The president's remarks were the first since Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced the launch of a Biden impeachment inquiry while the Republican House leader is also struggling to shore up votes to fund the government and prevent a federal shutdown.

"The best I can tell is they want to impeach me because they want to shut down the government," Biden said.

He also made a reference to Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a top ally of his chief rival heading into the 2024 election, Donald Trump. "The first day she was elected, the first thing she wanted to do was impeach Biden," he said.

"Look, I've got a job," Biden told his audience. "I've got to deal with the issues that affect the American people every single, solitary day."

McCarthy's sudden decision to launch an impeachment inquiry into Biden has won over even the most reluctant Republicans, with some GOP lawmakers pushing for swift action while others expect it to drag into the 2024 election year.

McCarthy opened and closed a private meeting Wednesday of House Republicans justifying his reasoning for the inquiry sought by former President Trump.

The White House mobilised to fight what it called the "unprecedented, unfounded claims" against the president regarding his son, Hunter, and family finances.

Biden did not respond early in the day to shouted questions about impeachment during a White House event on cancer research.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called it "a political stunt."

The moment is a politically pivotal one for the embattled McCarthy, whose job is being targeted by Trump's right-flank allies. He has already signalled potential charges of abuse of power, corruption and obstruction for possible articles of impeachment.

"There's a lot of accusations out there you just want the answers to," McCarthy told reporters at the Capitol.

In the inquiry, House Republicans are trying to link Biden to the business dealings of his son and deflect attention away from Trump's own legal peril.

The White House has said that Joe Biden was not involved in his son's business affairs. And so far, Republicans have unearthed no significant evidence of wrongdoing by the elder Biden, who spoke often to his son as vice president and did stop by a business dinner with his son's associates.

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