House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is denying he floated the idea of impeaching President Joe Biden.
Instead, he insists he merely raised the prospect of opening an impeachment inquiry.
On Thursday, a reporter said, âEarlier this week you floated the idea of impeaching President BidenâŚâ
âOK, let me first correct you,â McCarthy interjected before he asked, âWere you there when I said that? OK, then, what did I say?â
When the reporter reiterated her statement, McCarthy said, âYouâre claiming that⌠I floated the idea of impeachment. OK, so youâre wrong. So if you record, go back and watch, I said impeachment inquiry. There is a big difference.â
âWhat impeachment inquiry does when you vote on the floor, it gives you the apex of power of Congress,â he added.
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McCarthy went on to list several allegations such as the claim from two IRS whistleblowers that the investigation into Hunter Biden was treated differently and an allegation made in an unverified FBI document known as an FD-1023 that Joe Biden was involved in a foreign bribery scheme.
The California Republican insisted, âWe need to investigate. And what happens like you watched the situation yesterday where the federal government said thereâs still an investigation into the Bidens, well the only way youâll be able to get information that way is to have the strength to be able to get the documents you need.â
âI was concerned when asked a question that I havenât seen an administration act this way⌠as Nixon did by withholding information. If they do not provide the information we need, then we would go to an impeachment inquiry⌠simply an investigation,â he continued.
Finally, McCarthy said, âIâm glad you asked the question, that I could clarify that you misinterpreted and misstated.â
On Monday, McCarthy raised the prospect of launching an impeachment inquiry. He later explained he would take such a move if he felt information was being withheld from Republicansâ investigation.