The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote Wednesday to formalize the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, led by the Republican majority. This move follows accusations by House Republicans against Biden and his family of profiting from policy decisions made during his vice presidency in the Obama administration (2009-2017). They also accuse the U.S. Department of Justice of interfering with the investigation into Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, which the Justice Department denies??.

A recent poll by Morning Consult indicates a divided public opinion on the inquiry, with 44% of Americans in favor and 40% against. Among Republicans, support has decreased from 76% in September to 70%, while 62% of Democrats oppose the inquiry. A majority of independents, 47%, are also against it??.

Impeachment, under U.S. law, requires Senate conviction of "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors" for a president to be removed from office. The House impeachment process is the precursor to a Senate trial. With Democrats holding a slim majority in the Senate, it is unlikely that Biden would be convicted even if the House passes impeachment articles. The House Republicans, holding 221 of the 434 seats, need near-total party unity to pass the measure, as Democrats are expected to oppose it unanimously??.

The investigation, led by Republican Representative James Comer, Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, has focused on the Biden family's finances, including Hunter Biden, recently indicted on criminal tax evasion charges. The committee claims to have evidence of the Biden family using their name for business gains, but this evidence has been scrutinized and found lacking in substantiation. President Biden has denied any misuse of office for personal gain and labeled the inquiry as politically motivated??.