President Biden urged for the termination of the House GOP’s impeachment inquiry into his actions following the arrest of a crucial informant, who was central to the bribery claims, on charges of lying to the FBI.
“An Outrageous Effort”
Biden expressed his frustration, stating, “He is lying, and it should be dropped, and it’s just been an outrageous effort from the beginning,” in response to inquiries about the arrest.
Source of Allegations
Republican legislators advocating for Biden’s impeachment had cited discussions with the former FBI informant, Alexander Smirnov, who claimed to have information from the CEO of Burisma about a supposed $5 million payment to Biden and his son, Hunter.
Allegations Against Biden
In June 2020, Alexander Smirnov informed the FBI that executives linked to the Ukrainian energy firm Burisma had paid Hunter and Joe Biden $5 million each in 2015 or 2016.
Protect Us
Court documents reveal that Smirnov, 43, told his handler that an executive purportedly stated they hired Hunter Biden to “protect us, through his dad, from all kinds of problems.
Challenging Bribery Allegations
Investigations reveal Smirnov’s interactions with Burisma were normal business engagements in 2017, challenging his earlier bribery allegations.
False statements
The indictment accuses Smirnov of making false statements due to his opposition to Biden’s presidential run.
Fabricated Claims
The Justice Department noted, “As alleged in the indictment, the events that Smirnov first reported to the FBI Agent in June 2020 were fabrications.
Special Counsel’s Actions
The charges were filed by special counsel David Weiss, appointed by Trump, who has pursued tax charges against Hunter Biden, a former member of Burisma’s board.
Court Appearance
Charged with making a false statement, Smirnov appeared in court in Las Vegas on Thursday. He refrained from entering a plea during the hearing.
Maximum Sentence
Smirnov could receive a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison if found guilty.
Denied Wrongdoing
Biden has consistently denied any wrongdoing and distanced himself from his son’s business dealings amidst attempts to challenge his integrity through impeachment proceedings.
End Impeachment Inquiry
Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the leading Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, also urged for the termination of the Biden impeachment inquiry, labeling the Republican allegations against the president as consistently based on falsehoods constructed from conspiracy theories.
Stop Promoting Nonsense
Raskin called on Speaker Mike Johnson, Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, and House Republicans “to stop promoting this nonsense and end their doomed impeachment inquiry.”
Inquiry Continues
Despite the informant’s credibility being questioned, James Comer emphasizes that the impeachment inquiry is supported by a broad evidence base like witness testimony and bank records, not solely on Smirnov’s claims.
Impeachment Inquiry
In December, Republican-led congressional formally authorized an impeachment inquiry into President Biden and his family.
Unreliable Allegations
A lawyer representing Hunter Biden, who is scheduled to provide a deposition later this month, remarked that the charges demonstrate that the investigation relies on dishonest and unreliable allegations and witnesses.
Burisma Controversy
Burisma and Hunter Biden’s involvement with the company has faced intense scrutiny due to unsubstantiated allegations from Republican former President Donald Trump and others, suggesting that Democrat Joe Biden improperly intervened to benefit his son’s business ventures in Ukraine.
Continuing Effort
While the impeachment inquiry into Biden concerning his son’s business affairs has been slow-moving in the House, the committee continues its efforts.
Upcoming Testimony
Hunter Biden is anticipated to testify before the committee later this month.
“Political Agendas, Not Facts”
His attorney, Abbe Lowell, said, “For months, we have warned that Republicans have built their conspiracies about Hunter and his family on lies told by people with political agendas, not facts,” adding, “We were right, and the air is out of their balloon.”
Court Hearing
A detention hearing for Smirnov, who was apprehended at the Las Vegas airport upon returning to the U.S. from abroad, has been scheduled for February 20 by a judge.
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