Republican leaders at the forefront of the impeachment investigation into President Joe Biden have minimized the significance of charges against an FBI informant, Alexander Smirnov, who previously contributed claims now seen as false.
Falsifying Records
Smirnov faces allegations from special counsel David Weiss for lying to the FBI and falsifying records related to supposed foreign bribes to Biden and his family members.
Fabricated Story
The indictment alleges that Smirnov “fabricated” a story about a Ukrainian oligarch paying millions of dollars in bribes to the Bidens, accusations that Republicans have prominently featured in their impeachment inquiry into Biden.
FBI Memo Released
The informant’s discredited claims were documented in an internal FBI memo. Republicans pushed for months to obtain the memo from the FBI, eventually making it public in July despite the bureau’s objections.
Republicans Downplay Charges
The downplaying of the charges undermines how Republicans had previously touted the discredited allegations as part of their investigation, which aimed to uncover wrongdoing by the president but struggled to do so.
Other Aspects
However, they now emphasize other aspects of their investigation amid criticism of the informant’s reliability.
Most Corroborating Evidence
House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan told Fox News last month that “the most corroborating evidence we have is that 1023 form from this highly credible confidential human source.”
“Nothing has Changed”
Even after Smirnov’s claims were labeled as fabricated, Republicans are still pushing for the impeachment inquiry. A spokesperson for Jordan told CNN, “Nothing has changed” in the wake of the charges.
Inquiry Independence
House Oversight Chair James Comer said, “To be clear, the impeachment inquiry is not reliant on the FBI’s FD-1023,”
Evidence Basis
Comer further noted that the inquiry “is based on a large record of evidence, including bank records and witness testimony.”
Crucial Investigation Piece
However, when Republicans were striving to publicize the document that memorialized these claims, Comer stated on Fox in May 2023, “This is a very crucial piece of our investigation.”
Smoking Gun
House Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith, who is leading the inquiry with Jordan and Comer, described the allegations as a “smoking gun.”
Allegations Revisit
The FBI investigation also revisits allegations against Joe Biden’s conduct in Ukraine, focusing on claims of corruption and protectionism involving his son Hunter and Burisma.
The Key to Impeachment
Even though those charges largely stem from already debunked claims about Biden’s dealings in Ukraine that arose during Donald Trump’s first impeachment, Jordan has emphasized that this is “the key thing” to their impeachment inquiry.
Growing Doubts
Smirnov’s indictment challenges the Republican majority’s efforts to impeach Biden, with internal doubts growing about the sufficiency of evidence and the feasibility of successful impeachment proceedings.
End the Inquiry
Following the accusations, President Joe Biden denounced the informant’s dishonesty and urged Republicans to end their impeachment investigation.
“An Outrageous Effort”
Biden said, “He is lying, and it should be dropped, and it’s just been an outrageous effort from the beginning.”
End Doomed Inquiry
Similarly, Representative Jamie Raskin, the leading Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said, “I formally call on Speaker Johnson, Chairman Comer, and House Republicans to stop promoting this nonsense and end their doomed impeachment inquiry.”
Substantial Evidence
Despite setbacks, Republican leaders claim to possess substantial evidence supporting their case, including interviews and financial records.
FBI’s Role Questioned
The indictment has led to renewed scrutiny of the FBI’s handling of informants, with Republicans questioning the bureau’s judgment and the reliability of its confidential sources in light of Smirnov’s role.
Concerning Actions
Chairman Comer on Thursday said, “The FBI’s actions in this matter are very concerning.
Investigation’s Future Steps
Republicans indicate that forthcoming depositions and continued evidence gathering will play a critical role in the inquiry’s direction, with no definitive decision on impeachment expected until these processes conclude.
Evidence Debate
Internal discussions among Republicans reveal skepticism about the strength of the impeachment case, with some questioning the concrete evidence of wrongdoing by the president despite counterclaims from committee spokespeople of substantial misconduct allegations.
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