Gavin Newsom mocked House Republicans for launching an impeachment inquiry of Joe Biden without any evidence of wrongdoing in a new interview.
The California governor said Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s decision to open the investigation despite the GOP failing to uncover a direct link showing the president benefited from son Hunter Biden’s business dealings was a “joke”.
“This is student government,” Mr Newsom said in an hour-long interview with CNN’s chief political correspondent Dana Bash broadcast on Monday night.
“I mean, this is a perversity with what the founding fathers ever conceived of and imagined. So, if that’s the best they could do, give me a break.”
Related US election 2024 polls: Biden trails Trump and other Republican candidates in dire new polls for the president At UN, Biden looks to send message to world leaders - and voters - about leadership under his watch Rambling Biden is on the ropes – will his Democratic challengers strike?
Mr McCarthy has claimed opening an impeachment inquiry is required to probe the millions of dollars earned overseas by Hunter Biden while his father was heavily involved in the Obama administration’s foreign policy.
Mr Newsom told CNN he didn’t “love” politicians’ family members using their influence in Washington DC to amass wealth.
But he added that it was “hardly unique” for family members to attempt to cash in that way.
California Governor Gavin Newsom mocked Republicans for impeaching Joe Biden during a CNN interview
(CNN)
“If that’s the new criteria, there are a lot of folks in a lot of industries, not just in politics, where people have family members and relationships that they’re trying to parlay and get a little influence and benefit in that respect,” he told Ms Bash.
In a wide-ranging interview, Mr Newsom quashed speculation that he would run for president and endorsed Kamala Harris to be the 2024 vice presidential nominee.
He praised the Biden administration’s legislative accomplishments as a “masterclass”, including its bipartisan deals on gun control, infrastructure and semiconductor manufacturing.
The interview came amid increasing calls for Mr Biden, 80, to step aside from the 2024 contest. A new Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll showed the president trails Donald Trump and several other Republican presidential candidates in a hypothetical general election match-up.
Concerns have grown about Mr Biden’s age and the drumbeat of negative publicity surrounding his son, who was indicted on gun charges last week.
In a separate Reuters-Ipsos poll, Mr Biden had an approval rating of 42 per cent, the highest it has been since March.
Related California Gov. Gavin Newsom says he will sign climate-focused transparency laws for big business California lawsuit says oil giants for deceived public on climate, seeks funds for storm damage California targets smash-and-grabs with $267 million program aimed at 'brazen' store thefts
Mr Newsom called on Democrats to stop “this sort of navel-gazing about Joe Biden, and let’s get going.”
“Let’s get on the train. This train has left the proverbial station,” he said.
More about Gavin Newsom Republicans Joe Biden US election 2024
Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments
1/ 2Gavin Newsom mocks Republicans as ‘student government’ impeachment
Gavin Newsom mocks Republicans as ‘student government’ impeachment
California Governor Gavin Newsom mocked Republicans for impeaching Joe Biden during a CNN interview
CNN
Gavin Newsom mocks Republicans as ‘student government’ impeachment
California Governor Gavin Newsom mocked Republicans for impeaching Joe Biden during a CNN interview
CNN
？ Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Subscribe
Already subscribed? Log in