President Joe Biden responded strongly when asked about Alexander Smirnov, a key figure in a GOP investigation charged with lying to the FBI.
Special Counsel David Weiss announced Smirnov’s indictment, stating that his claims about the president and his son, including allegations of receiving millions in bribes, were false.
During a press briefing in the Roosevelt Room of the White House before his trip to East Palestine, Ohio, Biden condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin over the reported death of dissident political prisoner Alexei Navalny.
Amidst questions from reporters, NBC News White House correspondent Peter Alexander asked Biden about his reaction to Smirnov’s indictment and whether he believed the impeachment inquiry should be dropped.
Biden responded emphatically, stating that Smirnov was lying and that the inquiry should be ended. He described the GOP’s efforts as outrageous and emphasized that he and his son did nothing wrong.
Despite widespread acknowledgment by journalists and some Republicans that there was no evidence of wrongdoing by President Biden, the GOP formalized their impeachment inquiry in a 221 to 212 vote in December. Smirnov’s allegations were a significant part of the GOP probe and were frequently highlighted by conservative media outlets.
Biden’s remarks reflect his frustration with the ongoing scrutiny surrounding his son Hunter Biden’s business dealings and the efforts by some to tie them to alleged corruption involving foreign entities. The president’s stance underscores his commitment to defending himself and his family against what he perceives as unjust attacks.
Overall, Biden’s comments demonstrate his determination to confront challenges head-on and to push back against what he views as baseless accusations designed to undermine his presidency.