House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) said Sunday that criminal charges against President Biden’s son and brother are “just the beginning” and vowed the next phase of the impeachment investigation will focus on the president himself.
“Remember, this is an investigation of Joe Biden,” Comer said in an interview with Maria Bartiromo on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.” “Hunter Biden, Jim Biden, Eric Schwerin, Devon Archer, these are all witnesses in the investigation of Joe Biden. This has always been about Joe Biden.”
“Now we’re going to do everything in our power to hold Hunter Biden and any shady associates accountable. This is just the beginning,” he continued, “but the next step is holding Joe Biden accountable.”
The interview came after Republican leaders of the Biden impeachment inquiry last Wednesday called on the Justice Department to bring criminal charges against the president’s son, Hunter, and brother, James, accusing them of lying to lawmakers during conversations with investigators.
The criminal charges give the impeachment inquiry greater importance after it had been quiet in recent months as the investigation failed to produce any evidence of criminal wrongdoing against Biden and support for the inquiry faded.
But in an interview on Sunday, Comer suggested he has no plans to close the investigation, accused Biden of committing “a number of crimes” and suggested a report would be released soon to update the public on Biden’s alleged misdeeds.
“I think anyone who’s been following this investigation is very curious to know what happens next,” Comer said.
Comer also suggested that if Attorney General Merrick Garland does not take up criminal charges against the president’s relatives, former President Trump, who is challenging Biden for a second term in the White House, could appoint an attorney general to investigate the allegations.
“Transferring criminal cases is the first step,” Comer said. “Any case that goes to the Department of Justice is within the statute of limitations. In fact, the statute of limitations is five years. So if Merrick Garland’s Department of Justice doesn’t address this in the right way, the next administration and the new attorney general certainly will.”
The Hill has asked the White House for a response.
