California Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell delivered a decisive blow to the House GOP's impeachment efforts against President Joe Biden, boldly proclaiming its demise and counting down the top 10 reasons why the impeachment push is "donezo."
Addressing committee Chair James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, Swalwell challenged the GOP to pursue an impeachment vote but asserted their inability to do so due to insufficient evidence. Standing before the committee, Swalwell symbolically marked the end of the impeachment endeavor by inscribing "5:16 [p.m.]" on a board, signaling the "BIDEN IMPEACHMENT TIME OF DEATH."
Ahead of his dramatic gesture, Swalwell presented a list of 10 reasons supporting his assertion that "impeachment is dead." Among these reasons were references to Alexander Smirnov, an FBI informant indicted for fabricating allegations crucial to the GOP's case, and the incarceration of witness Jason Galanis.
You can hear what he said in the video below.
Swalwell said:
"It's time to pick it up and I want to give you the top 10 reasons why impeachment is dead."
"#10: Your key witness today is testifying from the slammer. #9: Key evidence of a bribe that you all relied on. The guy who said that has been indicted for lying about that bribe and he's a Russian asset."
"#8: Another key witness has been indicted as a Chinese agent. #7: During the 100th Biden interview, Mr. Chairman, you didn't even stay the whole time. #6: Chairman Jason Smith didn't show up at all to the Hunter Biden interview."
"The same day, #5, Darrell Issa said, 'It's a big nothing. #4: Today Jim Jordan began his remarks, not by relying on any evidence for this investigation, but he went off attacking the DOJ for what they're doing with the Catholics."
"#3: You all still have not sent the articles of impeachment for the Mayorkas impeachment to the Senate. And that happened last month!" #2: You're now talking about a criminal referral but if you had evidence for a criminal referral, then you have evidence to impeach someone for high crimes and misdemeanors."
Swalwell concluded by pointing out that Fox News—the most reliable conservative mouthpiece in the country—wasn't even broadcasting the hearing at all:
#1: I'm sorry to even say this. Fox News isn't even carrying this today. In fact, one of their anchors, as they broke away 10 minutes in, said: 'This is the same hearing over and over and over.'"
“At what point are you gonna fish, or cut bait? So, I just had to tell you, it’s over.” ...
"I dare you to impeach. But you won't because you don't have the evidence and because you don't have the evidence, you don't have the votes. Guys, it's dead."
After footage of Swalwell concluding by announcing the "time of death" went viral, many praised him for his succinct takedown of the GOP's impeachment effort.
Swalwell's declaration echoed sentiments expressed by New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who questioned the basis of the impeachment inquiry and urged Republicans to specify the alleged crime.
Ocasio-Cortez emphasized the absence of concrete charges against Biden, criticizing the GOP's pursuit of impeachment without clear allegations.
She said she has only heard "about this and that" and not "the specific allegation by this committee," which "is a problem."
@GregAbbott_TX/X
