EXCLUSIVE: House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., suggested that the impeachment inquiry of President Biden would be moving into the next “appropriate step,” which includes gathering key witness testimony.Johnson got an update on the impeachment inquiry earlier on Wednesday from the three House GOP committee chairmen who are leading the probe: Oversight Chair James Comer, R-Ky., Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith, R-Mo.”At this stage, our impeachment inquiry has already shown the corrupt conduct of the president’s family and that he and White House officials have repeatedly lied about his knowledge and involvement in his family’s business activities,” Johnson told Fox News Digital afterward.SPEAKER JOHNSON: BIDEN ENGAGING IN ‘COVER-UP’ OF ROLE IN HUNTER BUSINESS DEALINGS, IMPEACHMENT PROBE CONTINUES House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. (Sarah Silbiger / Bloomberg via Getty Images)”It has also exposed the tens of millions of dollars from foreign adversaries being paid to shell companies controlled by the president’s son, brother and their business associates,” he added.Johnson said the impeachment inquiry is moving ahead with his support.”Now, the appropriate step is to place key witnesses under oath and question them under the penalty of perjury to fill gaps in the record,” Johnson said.HOUSE GOP TO PRESENT EVIDENCE AGAINST BIDEN IN FIRST IMPEACHMENT HEARING”I commend the good work of Chairmen Comer, Jordan and Smith. As we move forward toward an inflection point in this critical investigation, they have my full and unwavering support.” Rep. James Comer, R-Ky. (Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call Inc. via Getty Images)House Republicans have accused Biden and his family of bribery and influence peddling, including with foreign actors. The president’s allies have dismissed the allegations as political attacks.Last week, Comer subpoenaed both the president’s son and brother, Hunter Biden and James Biden, as well as several associates, including the gallery owner who hosted Hunter’s foray into the professional art world, Georges Bergès.Johnson, who was a constitutional lawyer before being elected to Congress, has taken a careful and meticulous approach to the possibility of impeaching the president.COMER SUBPOENAS PERSONAL, BUSINESS BANK RECORDS FOR HUNTER BIDEN, JAMES BIDEN AS PART OF IMPEACHMENT INQUIRYHe’s made no secret of his own opinions, including as a member of the Judiciary Committee before becoming speaker, but Johnson has urged Republicans to follow due process to build a case. President Biden (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)Johnson said at a press conference this month that House Republicans were “coming to a point of decision” on impeachment “very soon.”CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP”We have to follow due process, and we have to follow the law,” he said. “That means following our obligation on the Constitution and doing appropriate investigations in the right way at the right pace, so that the evidence comes in and we follow the evidence where it leads.”Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment on Johnson’s Wednesday statement. Elizabeth Elkind is a reporter for Fox News Digital focused on Congress as well as the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and politics. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com
