Kevin McCarthy, the Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, has launched an impeachment inquiry into US president Joe Biden, a move that will further raise political tensions in the world’s largest economy.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, McCarthy said Biden had lied “to the American people about his own knowledge of his family’s business dealings”.
“These are allegations of abuse of power, obstruction and corruption,” McCarthy said. The House speaker said the inquiry would be led by James Comer, the chair of the House oversight committee, and Jim Jordan, the chair of the House judiciary committee.
McCarthy has been facing mounting pressure from Republican allies of Donald Trump to more aggressively target Biden, but some in the party fear the impeachment inquiry could backfire with moderate and swing voters.
Read more on the inquiry here