Democrats mock Biden impeachment inquiry hearing, GOP chair struggles to keep control

After a brief recess, a Republican on the House Oversight Committee pushed back against Democrats' criticism that the hearing was unnecessary and improper.

Rep. William Timmons R-S.C. contended that there was enough evidence against Hunter Biden to start the inquiry. Timmons acknowledged that the evidence was "circumstantial" but stressed that lawmakers needed to do due diligence.

"The Congress has a duty to determine whether Joe Biden was a loving father taken advantage of by a delinquent son or a knowingly participant complicit in the scheme and financially compensated for his role. That's why we are here today, to answer that simple question," he said.

Timmons added that the panel will subpoena Hunter Biden's "personal bank records, various business records, invoices and contracts."

"We are doing this because the Department of Justice, FBI and the IRS refuse to do that their job," he claimed, without evidence.

Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., was the latest Democrat to display Trump's social media posts behind her as she accused Republicans of doing his bidding.

"It's a campaign strategy ... we see the long arms -- but tiny hands -- of Donald Trump, and his fingerprints all over this impeachment," she said.

Republicans have largely ignored Democrats' jabs against Trump and his indictments, though one GOP lawmaker taunted Democrats.

"I love the fact that Trump lives rent-free in the Democrats' heads every day, that is a beautiful thing, even though we are here talking about the impeachment inquiry of Joe Biden," Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., said.

1:57

Democrats tear into GOP over ‘sham’ impeachment inquiry

Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., claimed the reason Republicans launched the inquiry is to boost former President Donald Trump’s chances of being elected in 2024.

ABCNews.com

During her time to ask questions, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said the allegations are "extremely serious," but called the hearing an "embarrassment."

She established that none of the four witnesses can give any firsthand witness account of any crimes committed by the president.

"This is an embarrassment. It is an embarrassment to the time and people of this country," she said.

Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Wis., followed by saying he was concerned about the "seriousness of the allegations."

"We have all sorts of smoke, maybe not fire," he said. "It deserves a strong response from this body."

Rep. Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, asked Democratic witness Michael Gerhardt what he believes is the "primary flaw" in the Republican claims about President Biden.

"Well, I suppose I can say a lot. The problem is the dots are not connected," Gerhardt replied. "The name repeated most often is Hunter Biden, not President Biden. And the point of an impeachment inquiry is not about a president's son, it has to be about the president himself and I don't think those dots connected. Lots of assumptions and accusations, not evidence."