THE US House of Representatives will open a formal impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, its most senior Republican has said.
Kevin McCarthy said the inquiry would focus on “allegations of abuse of power, obstruction and corruption” by Mr Biden.
Republicans have been investigating the president since they took control of the House in January.
The hearings have found no concrete evidence of misconduct by Mr Biden.
They have, however, shed more light on business dealings by the president’s son Hunter Biden – which Republicans say are questionable – and on Mr Biden’s knowledge of his son’s activities.
In a brief statement at the US Capitol, Mr McCarthy said there were “serious and credible” allegations involving the president’s conduct.
“Taken together, these allegations paint a picture of a culture of corruption,” he said.
The White House was quick to condemn Mr McCarthy’s decision.
“House Republicans have been investigating the President for nine months, and they’ve turned up no evidence of wrongdoing,” White House spokesperson Ian Sams wrote in a social media post.
Hunter Biden is currently under federal investigation for possible tax crimes related to his foreign business interests.
Mr McCarthy, a California lawmaker, also alleged that the president’s family has received special treatment from Biden administration officials investigating allegations of misconduct.
The White House has denied any involvement in the Hunter Biden case, and said that President Biden has no ties to his son’s business operations.
This inquiry will give congressional investigators greater legal authority to investigate the president, including by issuing subpoenas for documents and testimony that can be more easily enforced in court.
The US constitution states a president can be impeached for “treason, bribery, or other high crimes or misdemeanours”, a process which can end in them being removed from office.
However, any effort to remove President Biden would be unlikely to succeed.
The House of Representatives, where Republicans hold a narrow 222-212 majority, would need to vote in favour. It would then need to proceed to a Senate trial and vote.
Democrats have a majority in the Senate, and would almost certainly shoot down the proceedings if it gets that far.
Mr Trump, the only US president to have been impeached twice, was acquitted both times by his fellow Republicans.