‘I’m Serious!’ Biden Lashes Out When Reporter Asks About GOP Probe Witness Busted By FBI For Lying
President Joe Biden had some choice words when he was asked about the witness at the heart of a GOP probe who has been charged with lying to the FBI.
Special Counsel David Weiss announced Thursday that Alexander Smirnov — a key informant behind the Republican effort to impeach Biden over his son Hunter Biden’s business dealings — has been charged with lying to the FBI.
The indictment states that Smirnov’s claims about the president and his son — including the allegation they were paid millions in bribes — are untrue.
On Friday afternoon, Biden spoke to reporters in the Roosevelt Room of the White House ahead of his trip to East Palestine, Ohio. After fiery remarks slamming Russian President Vladimir Putin over the reported death of dissident political prisoner Alexei Navalny, Biden took several questions.
As press wranglers shouted “Thank you!” to reporters as a signal to leave, NBC News White House correspondent Peter Alexander squeezed in one more question, asking the president for his reaction and whether he thinks the impeachment inquiry should be “dropped” following the news.
The president had few words, but they were emphatic:
PETER ALEXANDER: An FBI informant at the Saturday impeachment inquiry into you has been indicted for allegedly lying. Your reaction to that? And should the inquiry be dropped?
PRESIDENT BIDEN: He IS lying! And it should be dropped! And it’s just been a — it’s been an outrageous effort from the beginning. We did nothing — No, I’m serious!
[shouting by reporters]
See you in Ohio!
The investigation into Biden resulted in Republicans formalizing their impeachment inquiry in a 221 to 212 vote in December — despite widespread acknowledgment by journalists (including Mediaite founder Dan Abrams) and even other Republicans that there was “no evidence” of wrongdoing by President Biden.
Smirnov’s allegations featured heavily in the GOP probe, and were broadcast frequently by media outlets, especially conservative ones.
Watch above via pool.
