President Biden has finally broken his silence on his possible impeachment, telling attendees during a campaign reception at a private residence in McLean, Virginia on Wednesday such efforts were because Republicans in Congress “want to shut down the government.”
According to the official White House transcript of the event, Biden said, “Look, before I close, I want to say a word about impeachment,” as those in attendance laughed.
“It was pointed out to me today that [Republican Georgia Rep.] Marjorie Taylor Greene, the first day she was elected, said, ‘First thing we want to do is impeach Biden.’ Well, I tell you what, I don’t know quite why, but they just knew they wanted to impeach me. And now, the best I can tell, they want to impeach me because they want to shut down the government,” he said.
One attendee expressed agreement with Biden, leading the president to say, “No, you think I’m kidding. Watch.”
“Look, I’ve got a job to do. Everybody always asks about impeachment. I get up every day — not a joke — not focused on impeachment. I’ve got a job to do. I’ve got to deal with the issues that affect the American people every single solitary day,” he said.
“And a couple of years ago, I met my Cabinet; and I met them again when I appointed them; and I met them today in the Cabinet Room, focusing on how we end cancer as we know it as a country. And I’m focused on these things,” he added.
WATCH: KARINE JEAN-PIERRE RANTS AGAINST BIDEN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY, SNAPS AT REPORTER IN TESTY MOMENT
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced the formal impeachment inquiry against Biden on Tuesday, stating at a press conference that House Republicans had “uncovered serious and credible allegations into President Biden’s conduct.”
He listed allegations of “abuse of power, obstruction and corruption” made against Biden by several GOP-led committees who have been investigating the president and his family’s foreign business dealings.
Fox News’ Chris Pandolfo and Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.