House Oversight Committee Invites President Biden to Public Testimony in Impeachment Inquiry

President Biden Invited to Testify in Impeachment Inquiry

Washington, April 7, 2023 - The Republican-led House Oversight Committee has extended an invitation to President Biden to testify publicly as part of the panel's ongoing impeachment inquiry. This move comes after the committee's attempts to gather significant evidence were hindered by the testimony of the president's son.

Formal Invitation

In a seven-page letter addressed to President Biden, Rep. James Comer, the committee's chairman, requested the president's appearance on April 16 for a public hearing. However, it is anticipated that President Biden will decline this invitation.

Focus of the Inquiry

The committee's focus has been on allegations of the president benefiting from his family members' foreign business dealings during his tenure as vice president. Despite their efforts, no substantial evidence of impeachable offenses has been uncovered.

Historical Context

It is noteworthy that sitting presidents testifying before congressional committees is a rare occurrence in American history. According to the Senate Historical Office, this has taken place only three times, with the most recent instance dating back to 1974 when President Gerald Ford testified about his decision to pardon former President Richard Nixon.

Response and Challenges

Following the committee's request, a White House spokesperson characterized the invitation as a "sad stunt," while the impeachment inquiry faced a setback when the Trump-appointed special counsel investigating Hunter Biden charged a one-time FBI informant for allegedly providing false information regarding the president and his son accepting $5 million bribes from a Ukrainian energy company.

Hunter Biden's Testimony

In a closed-door deposition, Hunter Biden stated that his father was not involved in his business deals. Subsequently, Hunter Biden was invited to testify publicly but declined. His lawyer, Abbe Lowell, criticized the invitation as a "planned-for-media event" and an "obvious attempt to throw a Hail Mary pass after the game has ended."

For more updates, stay tuned to CBS News.