DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Justice Department rebuffs Republican requests for audio of Biden interview with special counsel
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The Department of Justice doubled down on its decision to not release the audio files of President Joe Biden’s interview with special counsel Robert Hur to House Republicans, stating that Republicans have not established a legitimate legislative purpose for demanding these recordings, in a new letter obtained by CNN. The DOJ’s refusal to turn over the audio comes as Republicans find their impeachment inquiry into the president stalled now that the prospects of the investigation ending in impeachment are increasingly unlikely. Without the votes in their narrow majority or evidence of an impeachable offense, Republicans are now struggling with how to end their probe. Uriarte pointed to the possibility that audio files can be manipulated through “cutting, erasing, and splicing” in a way that increases the privacy concerns of the witness. Uriarte therefore accused Republicans of going after these audio files for the wrong reasons.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Robert Hur, Carlos Uriarte, James Comer, Jim Jordan, General Merrick Garland, Hur, Mark Zwonitzer, Uriarte, Biden, ” Uriarte, spokespeople, Comer, Jordan, “, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Zwonitzer, ” Organizations: CNN, Department, Justice, House Republicans, Republicans, DOJ, Ukrainian, Fox News, “

Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, speaks during an impeachment inquiry hearing in Washington, Nov. 13, 2019. Trump Media CEO Devin Nunes on Tuesday urged House Republican committee leaders to investigate possible "unlawful manipulation" of the company's stock. Trump Media, which began trading on the Nasdaq on March 26 after completing a lengthy public merger, was far and away the most expensive U.S. stock to short as of early April. The letter comes as the stock price of Trump Media, which created the social media app Truth Social and is majority-owned by former President Donald Trump, continues to trend down in volatile trading sessions. The stock dropped nearly 5% early Wednesday but turned positive before noon, trading around $33 per share.

Persons: Devin Nunes, Nunes, Patrick McHenry, Jim Jordan, Jason Smith, James Comer, Donald Trump, DJT Organizations: House Intelligence, Trump Media, Republican, GOP, Nasdaq, Financial Locations: Washington, R, Ohio, Spokespeople

☆ How the House GOP’s Biden impeachment effort fell apart
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Annie Grayer | Melanie Zanona | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

“To me, success is impeachment from the House,” GOP Rep. Brian Mast said. Comer’s co-leads, House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan and House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith, are also fully behind the work. I don’t think that’s an impeachable offense,” GOP Rep. Jodey Arrington said. Even GOP Rep. Darrell Issa remarked after the first hour of questioning that Hunter Biden was prepared for the interview. There’s an election in seven months from now,” GOP Rep. Nick LaLota, who represents a New York district Biden won in 2020, told CNN.

Persons: James Comer, Joe Biden, –, Comer, Biden, “ Comer, Jesus, Alejandro Mayorkas, Comer –, “, Anna Paulina Luna –, Hunter Biden, it’s, ” Luna, ”, missteps, Brian Mast, Mike Johnson, Comer’s, Jim Jordan, Jason Smith, ” Johnson, Steve Scalise, Elise Stefanik, Kevin McCarthy, ” Bruce Dubinsky, McCarthy, Samuel Corum, Johnson, Jodey Arrington, Darrell Issa, …, Doug LaMalfa, Mayorkas, Tony Gonzales, Austin Scott, ” Comer, Donald Trump, Jordan, doesn’t, There’s, Nick LaLota, Jamie Raskin, Raskin Organizations: Washington CNN —, Republican, CNN, Kentucky Republican, Homeland, Biden, GOP, Republicans, Getty, White, Democratic, ”, Department of Justice Locations: Kentucky, ”, Washington , DC, –, Texas, New York

☆ Why Qatar is unlikely to withdraw from the Gaza hostage-ceasefire talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Qatar hosts Hamas’ political office, but it is also home to a 10,000-troop US military base. Experts say it is unlikely Qatar will end its mediation role. Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani gives a press conference with his Turkish counterpart in Doha on Wednesday. And on Monday, Democratic US Congressman Steny Hoyer accused Qatar of “blocking” progress in the talks. The Gulf state was also a Major Non-NATO Ally, as well as key energy supplier to Western states.

Persons: Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, ” Al Thani, “, ”, Anna Jacobs, “ They’ve, ” Jacobs, Daniel Shek, ” Shek, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Karim Jaafar, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Majid Al Ansari, Netanyahu, James Comer, General Merrick Garland, Steny Hoyer, Jacobs, Joe Biden, NATO Ally Organizations: UAE CNN, Foreign, United States Congress, US, Qatar, Group, CNN, ”, Qatar's, Turkish, Wednesday, Qatari, Hamas, Washington DC, Democratic, Al Udeid, Al Udeid Air Base, NATO Locations: Abu Dhabi, UAE, Israel, Qatar, Doha, United States, Washington, Egypt, Gaza, Gulf, Brussels, Israeli, ” Qatar, Thani, AFP, Qatari, Al Udeid Air

☆ Republican House panel launches probe into Biden's FTC-DOJ task force on corporate pricing
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"The timing of the Strike Force announcement, in an election year, raises the likelihood that political motivations rather than the interests of American consumers drove the action," House Oversight Committee Chair Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., said in the letter. The Strike Force is jointly led by the FTC and the Department of Justice, which have been at the front lines of the Biden administration's regulatory agenda over the past several years. Comer alleged in the letter that "this pattern" of blaming corporate-pricing practices for inflation "signals that the new FTC-DOJ Strike Force will be used as a political tool." But Biden's logic that companies are the ones responsible for high prices, not his economic agenda, could be taking hold with voters. A March survey found that respondents blamed recent price hikes on "large corporations taking advantage of inflation" more than Democratic policies.

Persons: Lina M, Khan, Bill Nelson, Joe Biden's, Lina Khan, Biden, James Comer, Jonathan Kanter, Comer, —, Biden's Organizations: Commerce, Science, NASA, Capitol, Republican, CNBC, Federal Trade, Strike Force, Force, U.S, FTC, Department of Justice, Biden, Kroger, Albertsons, DOJ Strike Force, Democratic Locations: Washington , U.S, Ky

☆ DOJ officials reject Republicans' demands for audio recordings of Biden's classified documents interview
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Jordan and Comer subpoenaed the tapes after Hur released his report in February. AdvertisementSpecial counsel Robert Hur questioned Biden in October about classified documents found in 2022 at his Deleware home and an office he used after leaving office. AdvertisementBiden's handling of classified documents is unlikely to be a major campaign pillar for Republicans and GOP frontrunner former President Donald Trump in the coming election, Schmidt predicted. "That's why Republicans think it's so important they get ahold of these tapes," Schmidt said.

Persons: —, Joe Biden's, Carlos Uriarte, Jim Jordan of, James Comer of, Comer, Hur, Uriarte, Matthew Schmidt, Robert Hur, Biden, zeroed, Schmidt, Donald Trump, Merrick Garland Organizations: Service, Justice, DOJ, Jordan, Business, University of New, Republicans, Washington Post, CNN, Justice Department, GOP Locations: Jim Jordan of Ohio, James Comer of Kentucky, University of New Haven

☆ CIA refutes whistleblower claim pushed by Republicans leading Biden impeachment inquiry
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —House Republicans leading the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden were dealt their latest blow this week when the CIA informed them that an allegation they pushed was false, the latest example of House Republicans citing questionable information to make a serious claim. But the CIA has refuted that claim in a letter obtained first by CNN that was sent to Jordan and Comer. House Republicans are pushing back on the refutation. “I’ve made a document production in conjunction with the grand jury investigation,” Morris testified in his closed-door interview with Republicans conducting the inquiry in January. Republicans have raised questions about why Morris lent the president’s son millions of dollars and have sought to connect him to their impeachment inquiry into President Biden.

Persons: Joe Biden, Hunter Biden’s, undercutting, James Comer, Jim Jordan, Hunter Biden, Comer, Congressional Affairs James A, Catella, Russell Dye, Jamie Raskin, ” Raskin, Kevin Morris, Hunter, Morris, “ I’ve, ” Morris, “, ”, Biden, Gary Shapley, CNN’s Paula Reid Organizations: CNN — House Republicans, CIA, Republican, Department of Justice, FBI, IRS, CNN, “, Congressional Affairs, Republicans, Democrat Locations: Jordan, Delaware

Gail Collins: Hey, Bret, we just hit April Fools’ Day. Lake isn’t even bothering to defend herself on the substance of the suit and has asked the court to move directly to the damages phase. I hope the court takes the Fake out of Lake with a whopping judgment in Richer’s favor. Current subject is the business dealings of Joe’s son Hunter, a road we’ve been down a trillion times before. Bret: Hey, think of all the fun we’ll have when Democrats return the favor by investigating Javanka, Don Jr. and Eric when Donald Trump is — gulp — back in office.

Persons: Gail Collins, Bret, Bret Stephens, Kari Lake, Kyrsten, Stephen Richer, Richer, isn’t, Richer’s, Gail, James Comer, who’s, Joe Biden, Joe’s, Hunter, Javanka, Don Jr, Eric, Donald Trump Organizations: Trump, U.S, Senate, Republican Locations: Arizona, Maricopa County

☆ Comer invites Biden to testify before the Oversight Committee
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

“Comer knows 20+ witnesses have testified that POTUS did nothing wrong. Yet, in his letter to Biden, Comer outlined the four phases of his investigation that included obtaining bank records and witness testimony that led him to seeking the president’s testimony. Various Biden family business associates have testified they have had surface level interactions with Biden, but none have said they discussed business with the president, either while he was in office or as a private citizen. “What do you think they would do if we Impeached Biden?” Comer wrote earlier this week. House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Thursday that the House will send over the Mayorkas impeachment articles to the Senate on April 10.

Persons: James Comer, Joe Biden, –, ” Comer, “ Comer, POTUS, he’s, ”, Ian Sams, Biden, Comer, James Biden, Alejandro Mayorkas, Mike Johnson Organizations: Republicans, White, Kentucky Republican, GOP, Department of Justice, Internal Revenue Service, House Republicans, Democratic, CNN, Department of Homeland, Senate

☆ Lev Parnas invited by House Oversight Democrats as witness for Biden impeachment hearing
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

House Democrats on the Oversight Committee have selected an indicted associate of Rudy Giuliani, who played a role in former President Donald Trump’s first impeachment trial, to be their witness at the panel’s hearing on Wednesday, a source with Oversight Committee Democrats told CNN. House Republicans had embraced the dirt Parnas was peddling but he has since called it out as nonsense. Hunter Biden declined the invitation from Republicans to appear at this hearing. Last year, Parnas sent House Oversight Chair James Comer a letter discrediting the many theories peddled by Republicans and called on Comer to end his investigation into the Biden family. “There is simply no merit to investigating this matter any further.”Prior to selecting Parnas, Democrats had been considering Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen to be their witness.

Persons: Rudy Giuliani, Donald Trump’s, Lev Parnas, Giuliani, Trump, Joe Biden, Hunter, Parnas, “ Lev Parnas, ”, Jamie Raskin, “, Tony Bobulinski, Biden, Jason Galanis, Hunter Biden, Devon Archer, Joe Biden corruptly, Republican pushback, James Comer, Comer, ” Parnas, Michael Cohen, “ Cohen Organizations: CNN, Republicans, GOP, Maryland, Republican, Biden, FBI Locations: Ukrainian, Ukraine

☆ House GOP Biden inquiry stalls as impeachment becomes less likely
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

Hunter Biden arrives at the Thomas P. O'Neil Jr. House Office Building for a closed door deposition on February 28, in Washington, DC. Abbe Lowell makes a statement to the press following a closed-door deposition before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and House Judiciary Committee in the O'Neill House Office Building on February 28, in Washington, DC. “He was well-prepared for the kind of questions,” Issa recounted of Hunter Biden. GOP focus shifts away from impeachment probeInvestigating the Biden family and going after President Biden was a top priority for House Republicans when they reclaimed the majority and got control of committees. GOP Rep. Ryan Zinke of Montana said the three Republican chairmen leading the impeachment inquiry have the same message: “They say we’re not in a position to go forward on impeachment.”

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Hunter Biden, James Comer, Jim Jordan, Comer, Donald Trump, Thomas P, O'Neil Jr, Countess, Merrick, Justice won’t, ” Comer, Mike Johnson, “, Jordan, Johnson, “ I’m, ” Johnson, Ralph Norman of, Troy Nehls, impeaching Biden, We’ve, Let’s, ”, ” Nehls, Alejandro Mayorkas, I’m, Trump, weaponized, ” Jordan, Vernon, Ed Siskel, ” Siskel, Hunter, Mary, ” Hunter, Abbe Lowell, Samuel Corum, Hunter Biden’s, Darrell Issa, ” Issa, Robert Hur, Garret Graves, Chip Roy, Texas, Lisa McClain, Richard Hudson of, it’s, Nick LaLota, ” Norman, Ryan Zinke Organizations: House Republicans, Department of Justice, CNN, Fox News, Merrick Garland’s Department, Justice, Louisiana Republican, ” Staff, GOP, Caucus, Democratic, Homeland, Senate, Trump, White, Getty, Committee, Republican, of, Hunter Biden, Republicans, Internal Revenue Service, Judiciary, House, House Republican, “ Locations: Washington ,, Merrick Garland’s, Louisiana, House, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Texas, Georgia, Miami, Vernon Hill, Florida, O'Neill, Washington , DC, California, Lisa McClain of Michigan, Richard Hudson of North Carolina, New York, Montana

☆ Hunter Biden declines to attend public hearing on House impeachment inquiry
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, makes a statement to the press outside the U.S. Capitol about testifying publicly to the House Oversight and Accountability Committee on Wednesday, December 13, 2023. Hunter Biden on Wednesday declined an invitation to testify in public next week as part of House Republicans' impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. Hunter Biden sat for a closed-door deposition with the GOP investigators on Feb. 28. Comer on March 6 had invited Hunter Biden to testify again on March 20, this time in a public hearing titled, "Influence Peddling: Examining Joe Biden's Abuse of Public Office." That invitation came weeks after federal authorities arrested and charged Alexander Smirnov, a former FBI informant, with lying to the government about Joe and Hunter Biden.

Persons: Hunter Biden, Joe Biden, Abbe Lowell, James Comer, Lowell, Mary, Comer, Joe Biden's, Alexander Smirnov Organizations: U.S, Capitol, Republicans, Democratic, GOP, Public Office, FBI Locations: Ky

☆ Opinion: What Hunter Biden and Donald Trump have in common
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Opinion Andrey Spektor | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Hunter Biden won’t be returning to the spotlight next week as the House Oversight Committee had hoped. The problem with the Hunter Biden investigation, though, is not its potential reliance on the word of a compromised informant. And in that sense, Hunter Biden shares something in common with an unlikely person: Trump, at least with respect to his criminal case in New York. Much like the gun charge against Hunter Biden, the tax indictment has left many former federal white-collar prosecutors like me scratching their heads. That doesn’t mean that Trump or Hunter Biden are innocent; indeed, the former has more serious cases to contend with.

Persons: Andrey Spektor, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, CNN — Hunter Biden won’t, James Comer’s, Joe Biden, Andrey Spektor Bryan Cave Leighton, Hunter, Alexander Smirnov, Biden, you’ve, Smirnov, Hunter Biden, –, Donald Trump –, that’s, Trump, Hunter Biden’s Organizations: CNN, Republicans, Biden, Republican, Department of Justice Tax, IRS, DOJ’s Locations: New York

☆ Transcript of Biden's interview with special counsel Robert Hur shows memory lapses — but also detailed exchanges
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Mike Memoli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

But the transcript of Biden's interview, which was reviewed by NBC News, paints a more nuanced picture on both sides. At one point, Hur acknowledged that some of the questions he would ask would "relate to events that happened years ago." According to the review of the transcript, Biden at times expanded beyond the narrow subject areas of particular questions. In his opening statement, Hur planned to defend his investigation, the final report and his treatment of Biden's age. He also noted that some of the issues he was dealing with as vice president continue today.

Persons: Robert K Hur, Jabin, Robert Hur's, Joe Biden's, Biden, Hur, Beau Biden's, Beau's, Biden Biden, Israel, it's, Joe Biden, Evelyn Hockstein, Jim Jordan, James Comer, Hur's, Bob Bauer, Bauer, Richard Sauber, Joseph R, Beau, Tom Brenner, Beau Biden, I'm, hadn't, Trump, Mandel Ngan, They're, Benjamin Netanyahu, Barack Obama's, Obama, Pope Francis, Francis Organizations: White, Washington , D.C, Washington Post, Getty Images WASHINGTON, NBC, NBC News, Trump, Hamas, Pullman, Reuters, Republican, Capitol, White House, Justice Department, Biden III National Guard / Reserve, New, Penn Biden Center, Chamber, AFP, Getty Locations: Brady, Washington ,, Mongolia, Atlanta , Georgia, U.S, Ohio, Ky, New Castle, New Castle , Delaware, Penn, Virginia, Delaware, State, Israel, Afghanistan, Iran

☆ What to watch for out of Hunter Biden’s closed-door depositions with Republicans on Capitol Hill
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Jeremy Herb | Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Hunter Biden has been the focus of Republicans in Congress since they won the majority over a year ago. Regardless, Hunter Biden’s appearance is expected to create a spectacle on Capitol Hill, even as he will be testifying behind closed doors. Not surprisingly, the committees are expecting more lawmakers to show up for Hunter Biden than typical for depositions. “You are the epitome of White privilege,” GOP Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina told Hunter Biden from the dais. The stand-off led to contempt proceedings against Hunter Biden, after he showed up on Capitol Hill the day the committees scheduled his deposition.

Persons: Hunter Biden, Joe Biden’s, Joe Biden, –, Biden, There’s, Hunter, ’, Hunter Biden won’t, James Comer, that’s, Hunter Biden’s, Alexander Smirnov, Donald Trump’s, White, Nancy Mace, weren’t, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Greene, Where’s Hunter, ” Hunter Biden Organizations: Congress, Republican, FBI, Republicans, GOP, CNN, Justice Department, Capitol, South Carolina Locations: Ukrainian, Georgia

U.S. President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden talks to reporters outside the U.S. Capitol on December 13, 2023 in Washington, DC. Hunter Biden will appear a week after James Biden, the president's brother, told lawmakers that at no point during his 50-year business career was Joe Biden involved in his work. Joe Biden attended dinners, spoke on speakerphone, showed up to meetings, and had coffee with his son's foreign business associates. Republicans first issued a subpoena to Hunter Biden in early November, but through his lawyer, he chose not to comply with it for months. Hunter Biden will repeat what he and other witnesses have previously told the committees, that his father was not involved in his business, the sources said.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Hunter Biden, WASHINGTON — Hunter Biden, James Biden, Joe Biden, Hunter, James Comer, Comer, Biden, MAGA, Alexander Smirnov, Smirnov Organizations: U.S, Capitol, WASHINGTON, GOP, Committee, NBC, Republicans, MAGA Republicans, White House, Democratic, NBC News, FBI, Russian, Republican Locations: Washington , DC, Ky

Hunter Biden’s appearance Wednesday represents the most significant testimony to date for the two congressional committees leading the impeachment inquiry into President Biden, a probe that’s heavily focused on Hunter Biden’s foreign business dealings. But it comes as a key allegation that launched the impeachment inquiry has been discredited. Sources familiar with terms negotiated between Hunter Biden’s team and congressional Republicans told CNN that Wednesday’s deposition will have several unique features that are different from the other interviews the committees have conducted to date. While Hunter Biden’s lawyers insisted that he would only testify publicly, Comer insisted that a public hearing would follow the private deposition. Republicans repeatedly pointed to Smirnov’s allegations as a reason for opening the impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden last fall.

Persons: Hunter Biden, Joe Biden’s, –, Hunter, Biden, Hunter Biden’s, James Comer’s, Comer, Joe Biden, Department’s, Alexander Smirnov, Jim Jordan, Jordan, Burisma, wouldn’t, Abbe Lowell, Lowell Organizations: Capitol, CNN, FBI, Republicans, GOP, Justice Department Locations: Washington

☆ House Republicans subpoena Attorney General Garland for records from Biden classified documents probe
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks during a meeting of the Reproductive Rights Task Force at the Justice Department in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 4, 2023. House Republicans on Tuesday subpoenaed Attorney General Merrick Garland for records related to a special counsel's investigation of how President Joe Biden handled classified documents. The chairmen of the House Oversight and Judiciary committees demanded that Garland give them transcripts, notes, video and audio files from special counsel Robert Hur's probe. The chairmen linked the request directly to their ongoing presidential impeachment inquiry, which centers on allegations that Biden and his family engaged in corrupt business practices. Biden later that same day is scheduled to deliver his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress.

Persons: General Merrick Garland, Merrick Garland, Joe Biden, Garland, Robert Hur's, Biden, Jim Jordan, James Comer Organizations: Force, Justice Department, Washington , D.C, House Republicans Locations: Washington ,, Ohio, United States, Ky

☆ Republicans to grill James Biden behind closed doors in critical interview as GOP looks for lifeline in impeachment probe
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Hunter Biden is expected to show for his closed-door interview next week, after intense deliberations that almost collapsed. The first check Republicans revealed went to Joe Biden in 2018 for $200,000 from James Biden and James’ wife Sara Biden. What other Biden family business associates have saidBeyond Fox and Langston, Republicans have recently interviewed a number of key Biden family business associates. Walker also attended a 2017 business meeting with Hunter Biden and Chinese business associates, where Joe Biden made an appearance. Another longtime Biden family business associate, Eric Schwerin, performed administrative and bookkeeping tasks for then-Vice President Joe Biden from 2009 to 2017.

Persons: Joe Biden, Hunter, James, Wednesday, Biden, Hunter Biden, Mike Johnson, —, David Weiss, Hunter Biden’s, Alexander Smirnov, Robert Hur’s, Biden’s, James Biden, James ’, Sara Biden, ”, James Comer, Comer, Carol Fox, ‘ Biden, ’, Fox, James Biden’s, Joseph Langston, Langston, “, “ Jimmy Biden, ” Langston, Rob Walker, Walker, Biden —, ” Walker, ‘, ’ ”, Eric Schwerin, ” Schwerin, Mervyn Yan, Kevin Morris, Tony Bobulinski, Georges Bergès, White, Bergès, ” Bergès Organizations: Republicans, GOP, CNN, FBI, Burisma Holdings, undercutting, White, Democratic, Banking, Republican, Biden, Kentucky Republican, Fox, Langston, “, White House Locations: South Korea, Washington ,, China, Kentucky, Americore, Romania, American

☆ House Republicans seek to downplay FBI informant charges that undermine Biden impeachment inquiry
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —House Republicans leading the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden tried to downplay the importance of an FBI informant whose claims they once championed after he was charged with fabricating foreign bribery allegations involving the president and his son. Special counsel David Weiss charged the FBI informant, Alexander Smirnov, with lying to the FBI and creating false records. The indictment is just the latest setback to House Republicans who are struggling to build momentum to impeach the president. In the wake of the charges, President Joe Biden called out the informant for lying and said Republicans should end their impeachment inquiry. In the wake of the charges, Republicans have seized on the idea that Smirnov was initially presented as a credible witness.

Persons: Joe Biden, David Weiss, Alexander Smirnov, Smirnov, Biden, Jim Jordan, Jordan, James Comer, Comer, Jason Smith, Joe Biden corruptly, Hunter, Donald Trump’s, Alejandro Mayorkas, ”, Jamie Raskin, “, Johnson, Scott Brady, Brady, ” Brady, Tony Bobulinski, ” Comer, Raskin, Hunter Biden, James, CNN’s Marshall Cohen Organizations: CNN — House Republicans, FBI, Republicans, CNN, Fox, of Homeland, House Republicans, Hunter Biden, CHS, GOP Locations: Ukraine, Ukrainian

☆ Sean Hannity and right-wing media claimed the ‘Biden crime family’ took millions in bribes. Their narrative just fell apart
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

But MAGA Media personalities like Sean Hannity quickly shifted into hyperdrive last year when a supposedly “highly credible” FBI informant claimed to have smoking gun evidence of the conspiracy. The emergence of a confidential FBI informant coursed through right-wing media, where talking heads and outlets spotlighted the claims as damning evidence of criminal wrongdoing. Those actions were then celebrated in right-wing media. The charges dealt a blow to the narrative Fox News had championed on its air and Republicans had pressed in Congress. The stunning demise of the claim is just the latest in a larger pattern from Fox News and the broader right-wing media ecosystem in which it operates.

Persons: New York CNN — “, Biden, Joe Biden —, Hunter, MAGA, Sean Hannity, James Comer, Jim Jordan, Hannity, Comer, Alexander Smirnov, Harry Reid, David Weiss, Donald Trump, Smirnov, “, Joe Biden, Weiss, It’s Organizations: New York CNN, GOP, Fox News, incredulity, FBI, Media, Harry, Harry Reid International, Burisma, Fox, Republicans, “, MAGA Media Locations: New York, Ukrainian, hyperdrive, stoke, Las Vegas

☆ A stunning indictment could doom Republican's effort to impeach Biden
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Special counsel David Weiss blew through one of the key pieces of evidence House Republicans have held against Biden. AdvertisementA stunning indictment has undermined one of the key pieces of evidence some GOP lawmakers have cited in their impeachment push against President Joe Biden. Top House Republicans have cited the previously unknown informant's allegations for months as evidence for their views about the "Biden crime family." Some Republicans were already warning that their Biden impeachment push was going nowhere even before the latest setbacks. The outlet reported that roughly 20 Republicans were not convinced there was sufficient evidence to impeach Biden.

Persons: David Weiss, Weiss, Biden, Trump, —, Joe Biden, Hunter Biden, Obama, Alexander Smirnov, James Comer, Comer, Sen, Chuck Grassley, Hunter, Donald Trump's, Smirnov, George Santos, Mike Johnson, Alejandro Mayorkas, Mayorkas, Tom Suozzi, Santos, Ken Buck, Buck, Donald Trump, impeaching Biden, weaponizing Organizations: Republicans, Biden, FBI, Service, Prosecutors, Top, Iowa Republican, CNN, GOP, Homeland, Democratic, Colorado Republican, DOJ, DAs Locations: Ukrainian, Iowa, York, Colorado, South Carolina

WASHINGTON (AP) — An FBI informant has been charged with lying to authorities about a multimillion-dollar bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden, his son Hunter and a Ukrainian energy company, a claim that is central to the Republican impeachment inquiry in Congress. Alexander Smirnov falsely reported in June 2020 that executives associated with the Ukrainian energy company Burisma paid Hunter and Joe Biden $5 million each in 2015 or 2016, prosecutors said Thursday. Smirnov said a Burisma executive had claimed to have hired Hunter Biden to “protect us, through his dad, from all kinds of problems,” prosecutors said. The charges were filed by Justice Department special counsel David Weiss, who has separately charged Hunter Biden with firearm and tax violations. Hunter Biden is expected to appear before the committee later this month for an interview.

Persons: Joe Biden, Hunter, Alexander Smirnov, Smirnov, Hunter Biden, Biden, Barack Obama, “, David Weiss, Hunter Biden's, James Comer, Comer, Republican Sen, Chuck Grassley, Donald Trump’s, Rudy Giuliani’s, Eric Tucker, Lisa Mascaro, Ken Ritter Organizations: WASHINGTON, FBI, Republican, Prosecutors, Burisma, Public, Russian, Justice, Iowa, Trump, Associated Press Locations: Ukrainian, Las Vegas, Ky, Washington

☆ House GOP skeptical Biden inquiry leads to impeachment as election draws near
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Annie Grayer | Melanie Zanona | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Some of the ire has been directed at House Oversight Chairman James Comer, who has spearheaded the investigation into Biden family business records. “I don’t think it goes anywhere,” one Republican lawmaker said of the Biden impeachment inquiry. One senior GOP impeachment inquiry aide said it would be “a win too in our eyes” if the probe ended with legislative proposals to reform federal ethics laws, regardless of the decision on impeachment. House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, who is co-leading the investigation, acknowledged a Biden impeachment is not a forgone conclusion. “Nobody is talking about that,” said GOP Rep. Dan Newhouse of Washington state, when asked for his thoughts on the Biden impeachment inquiry.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden's, Hunter Biden, James, ahas, Scott Perry, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, Biden, “, Nicole Malliotakis, ”, –, James Comer, Kevin McCarthy, Comer, we’ve, it’s, Alejandro Mayorkas, Jim Jordan, ” Jordan, Jason Smith, Biden – it’s, I’m, ” Comer, Comer’s, Steve Scalise, BIden’s, ” Scalise, Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, David Schweikert, Mike Garcia of California, Dan Newhouse, David Valadao of, you’re, Hunter Biden’s, Hunter, Victoria Spartz, “ It’s, ” CNN’s Haley Talbot Organizations: Republicans, Democratic, GOP, Republican, New York, CNN, Homeland, Representatives, Committee, Biden, Washington, Victoria Locations: Scott Perry of, New, Jordan, Missouri, Arizona, David Valadao of California, Victoria Spartz of Indiana, House

WASHINGTON (AP) — James Biden will appear before House Republicans for a private interview next month as lawmakers seek to regain some momentum in their monthslong impeachment inquiry into his brother, President Joe Biden. James Biden's interview will take place just days before the president's son Hunter Biden will be deposed in private by the Republican-run committee, which has been investigating the Biden family's overseas finances for the past year. The committee found records of two loans that were made when Joe Biden was not in office or a candidate for president. In nearly every interview the witnesses have stated that they have seen no evidence that Joe Biden was directly involved in his son or brother's business ventures. House Republicans have shifted their focus, for now, on impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his handling of the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Persons: — James Biden, Joe Biden, ”, James Biden's, Hunter Biden, James, James Biden, Paul Fishman, “, Jim Biden, Biden’s, Biden, James Comer of, Alejandro Mayorkas Organizations: WASHINGTON, Republicans, Democratic, Capitol Hill, Twitter, Republican, Biden, GOP, ” Republicans, House Republicans, impeaching Homeland Locations: James Comer of Kentucky, U.S, Mexico

Search resuls for: "James Comer"

25 mentions found