Top Republican James Comer formally invites Joe Biden to testify on Capitol Hill in a last-ditch effort to bolster the GOP’s impeachment inquiry into the president’s alleged participation in his family’s ‘pay-for-influence’ scheme of $24 million

Joe Biden has been invited to testify in his own impeachment inquiry as Republicans hope to gain damning information about the president’s alleged “self-enrichment plans” in a last-ditch effort to uncover evidence of high crimes and misdemeanors.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., sent a letter to the president Thursday asking him to answer questions and inviting him to Capitol Hill to testify April 16 in the Republican investigation into the ” influence of his family’.

The committee has been investigating Biden, his family and business associates for more than six months, claiming they have received “a body of evidence” proving that Biden was “indeed involved in these pay-for-influence schemes” totaling more than $24 million.

“I invite you to participate in a public hearing at which you will have the opportunity to explain under oath your involvement in your family’s sources of income and the means used to generate them,” Comer wrote to Biden.

The Republican suggested earlier this month that Biden could testify in just weeks.

The invitations come as Republicans have conducted extensive searches of the president and his family’s bank accounts for evidence of his wrongdoing.

The saga includes testimony from the president’s son, Hunter Biden, and his brother, James Biden, and Republicans see the president’s potential testimony as the crown jewel of their investigation.

But it is almost certain that the president will reject Comer’s offer.

He would likely choose not to have a potentially embarrassing TV moment that could lend credence to the Republican Party’s efforts.

In response to the letter, White House spokesman Ian Sams sent DailyMail.com a message message on X from earlier this month: “Comer knows that more than two dozen witnesses have testified that POTUS did nothing wrong.”

“He knows that the hundreds of thousands of pages of documents he has received have refuted his false allegations,” his post continued. “This is a sad stunt at the end of a deadly impeachment.”

But Comer disagrees.

The Kentucky Republican’s letter details many of the committee’s findings, particularly focusing on how more than $24 million flowed from foreign sources to Biden, his family and their business associates.

“You have repeatedly denied playing any role in your family’s business dealings, but the committee has gathered evidence – including bank records and witness statements – that completely contradicts your position on these matters,” the letter said.

The Republican alleges that a network of shell companies channeled or received more than $25 million from China, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and other countries, ultimately ending up with the Biden family or their business associates.

Biden, for his part, has insisted he has “never discussed business” with his family’s business associates.

Yet Comer and his fellow Republicans are assured that is not the case.

“The commission has traced tens of thousands of dollars from China to your bank account,” the letter said.

The committee identified approximately $10 million coming from China, which they claim is tied to the Biden family’s influence.

They also raise questions about why Hunter Biden received $1 million annually from the Ukrainian company Burisma while he was on its board – while Joe was simultaneously vice president.

Republicans are still demanding information about two “loan repayment” checks that Biden received from his brother Jim.

To entice the president to attend the optional hearing, the letter referenced how past presidents have testified before Congress.

“As you know, presidents before you have provided testimony before congressional committees, including President Ford’s testimony before the House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Criminal Justice in 1974,” they wrote.

Comer may not push for a vote on articles of impeachment after sending a fundraising email earlier this week in which he said “preparing criminal referrals” will be “the highlight of my investigation.”

A criminal referral would largely amount to a symbolic letter to the Justice Department, suggesting that prosecutors investigate specific crimes they believe were committed.

As it stands, the path forward in an impeachment vote in the House of Representatives is murky at best.

Earlier this month — six months into the impeachment inquiry — Speaker Mike Johnson admitted he hasn’t had time to “dive deeply into the evidence” to determine whether Republicans should vote to impeach the president, a suggestion that the prospect is not a top candidate. priority.

“To be very honest with you, very honest and transparent, because I’ve been so busy with all my other responsibilities, I haven’t been able to take the time to delve deeply into the evidence,” he revealed.

“Yet what has been discovered is alarming,” the speaker added.