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WASHINGTON — Sen. John Fetterman delivered a message Wednesday to House Republicans considering impeaching President Joe Biden: “Go ahead, do it. I defy you.”
Speaking to reporters in his Senate office, the Pennsylvania Democrat suggested that the impeachment campaign led by Republicans across the Capitol was intended to distract from the mountain of legal troubles facing the former President Donald Trump.
“Your man has what, three or four indictments now?” said Fetterman. “Trump has a photo ID and he’s been impeached twice.”
“Sometimes you just have to call their bull…”, he says.
The first-term senator went on to say that an impeachment of Biden “would just be like a big jerk to the right” and would “diminish what impeachment actually means.”
Talk of an impeachment inquiry has gained momentum in recent weeks, with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., telling Fox Business last month that he was prepared to pursue the case if the administration did not turn over documents and information to House committees. investigating Biden family business dealings, including Hunter Biden. Some vulnerable Republicans, however, are skeptical of an impeachment inquiry.
Fetterman said impeachment would be a political “loser” for House Republicans, with the looming threat of a government shutdown if they don’t reach a funding deal by the end of the month.
“I’m just tired of seeing a few of them out there talking like they’re tough,” Fetterman said. “They keep pushing.”
Congress must pass a government funding bill by September 30 to avoid a partial shutdown on October 1, the first day of the new fiscal year.
Fetterman, who spoke to reporters using an iPad to dictate the questions put to him while recovering from a stroke, was also asked about his views on two episodes of freezing involving the 81-year-old Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
“I really don’t believe in pounding individuals, old people, I just don’t believe,” Fetterman, 54, said. “It’s not really a partisan issue. It’s like it’s the right time to leave, I think they have the right to do that too.
He said old age had become a “weapon”.
“They used it against, you know, the president or against McConnell or whatever, and I really leave it up to each person to have the respect and the dignity to handle this as they wish,” he said. -he declares.
Frank Thorp reported from Washington, Dareh Gregorian reported from New York.
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