House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has expressed his support for House Republicans’ efforts to expunge both of former President Donald Trump’s impeachments. McCarthy stated that he voted against both impeachments and believes they should be expunged. He criticized the first impeachment, which was based on Trump’s 2019 phone call to Ukrainian leaders, stating that it was not based on true facts. Regarding the second impeachment, which followed the January 6 Capitol Riot, McCarthy argued that it lacked due process.
McCarthy highlighted recent revelations from an IRS whistleblower concerning President Joe Biden and his family’s business dealings. He questioned whether these revelations, such as payments to the Biden family through shell companies and the Department of Justice warning Hunter Biden in advance, were more significant than a phone call. McCarthy also mentioned the existence of 51 individuals who possessed a laptop with classified information, alleging that they lied to the American public about Russian collusion before an election.
The House Speaker suggested that if he were to apply the same standard as the Democrats did for impeachment, there would be numerous occasions to pursue impeachment. McCarthy’s comments coincide with House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) introducing resolutions to expunge Trump’s articles of impeachment. Stefanik’s resolution focuses on the impeachment related to January 6, arguing that it did not meet the burden of proving “high Crimes and Misdemeanors” or establish an “insurrection or rebellion against the United States.” Greene’s resolution addresses the 2019 impeachment and contends that Trump was wrongfully accused, referencing an FBI informant document alleging a bribe taken by Joe Biden.
Both Stefanik and Greene aim to correct the record and clear President Trump’s name, with Greene expressing her pride in working with Chairwoman Stefanik on these resolutions.