Staff Reports
In a recent poll conducted jointly by ABC News and the Washington Post, it has been unveiled that a majority of voters perceive the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden as a mechanism for holding him accountable within the bounds of the law, rather than viewing it as an unjustified political assault. Approximately 58% of voters opine that Biden is undergoing a process of responsibility for his actions, akin to what any other president would experience, while a mere 32% believe he is being treated unfairly, especially in the lead-up to a crucial election cycle. Nevertheless, there is a division among voters based on their political affiliations when it comes to whether Congress should proceed with impeachment proceedings.
This poll emerges at a pivotal juncture, coinciding with the House Oversight Committee's preparations to conduct its inaugural impeachment hearing on Thursday. During this hearing, lawmakers will scrutinize the previously made allegations regarding Biden's involvement in his son Hunter Biden's business affairs. The survey also suggests a subtle shift in public sentiment compared to the previous month when a poll conducted by the left-leaning Congressional Integrity Project and Public Policy Polling revealed that 56% of voters perceived an impeachment inquiry as politically motivated, with only 38% regarding it as a genuine effort to investigate significant issues.
The Biden administration has consistently rejected calls for an impeachment inquiry, dismissing it as politically driven and a retaliatory tactic following former President Donald Trump's two impeachment proceedings during his tenure. White House spokesperson Ian Sams criticized the forthcoming hearing as a "political spectacle," contending that the focus should be on averting a government shutdown and addressing the needs of American families.
Notably, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, agreed to initiate the inquiry without necessitating a formal vote. This decision was likely influenced by the pressure exerted by the conservative faction within his party. By sidestepping a vote, McCarthy shielded vulnerable members of his party from taking a definitive stance on this contentious issue, especially as they campaign for re-election in competitive districts.
