National

House Republicans are holding their first hearing Thursday as part of the impeachment inquiry into President Biden, which will look at his purported involvement in his son Hunter Biden's business dealings.

Driving the news: House Speaker Kevin McCarthy launched the impeachment inquiry earlier this month, directing the House Oversight, Judiciary, and Ways and Means committees to spearhead the effort.

The inquiry followed Republicans' ongoing probe into the president's involvement with Hunter's business dealings — though they've presented no substantial evidence he broke the law or benefited financially from his son's business dealings. The White House has condemned the probe.

What happened: Conservative legal scholar Jonathan Turley, a GOP witness during the Thursday hearing, said that "the current evidence doesn't support articles of impeachment," but that an inquiry is warranted.

The committee voted not to subpoena Rudy Giuliani and his former associate Lev Parnas, after House Oversight Committee ranking member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) called on the committee to do so.

A second motion to subpoena Giuliani, brought by Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.) later in the hearing, also failed.

House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) said Thursday that the GOP members will present "two dozen pieces of evidence revealing Joe Biden's corruption and abuse of public office," using e-mails, text messages, bank records and testimony. 

A memo signed by the chairs of the Oversight, Judiciary, and Ways and Means Committees issued Wednesday noted that the inquiry will span from Biden's time as Vice President in the Obama administration to the present, and include his time out of office.

The inquiry aims to look at whether Biden took part in "corruption, bribery, and influence peddling" during his time as vice president and president, per the memo.

It will also examine whether the Biden administration has taken steps to "obstruct or hinder accountability" for these actions.

According to the memo, the Biden family and their businesses have allegedly raked in millions of dollars from what the chairs describe as "foreign sources" over the years, and Biden was personally involved in these business dealings.

Thursday's hearing before the House Oversight Committee will include testimony from financial and legal experts.

Among the GOP's three witnesses will be a forensic accountant, a former assistant attorney general at the Justice Department's Tax Division, and a law professor, NBC News reported. Democrats have also chosen a separate law professor to testify at the hearing.

Between the lines: Notably, Thursday's witnesses are not fact witnesses and don't have firsthand knowledge of Hunter Biden's business dealings or the president's purported involvement in them, per CNN.

This contrasts with House Democrats' first impeachment inquiry hearing into former President Trump over abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in 2019, when a senior U.S. diplomat directly implicated Trump in efforts to pressure Ukraine.

During Thursday's hearing, the committee is looking at what it describes as more than 24 pieces of evidence of Biden's alleged corruption and abuse of public office, per the preview of Comer's opening remarks.

The inquiry anticipates obtaining bank records and other financial documents through subpoenas and will seek to obtain other documents from various government agencies and depositions of individuals with knowledge of the Biden family dealings, per the memo.

The White House has dismissed the impeachment inquiry as baseless, pointing out that even some Republicans admit there is a lack of evidence of wrongdoing by the president.

The White House issued a 15-page memo this week rebutting Republicans' specific claims, CBS News reported.

"House Republicans staged this stunt to try to distract from them shutting down the government in 3 days," Ian Sams, a special assistant to the President and senior adviser and spokesman for the White House Counsel's Office, wrote on X Wednesday.

Editors' note: This story is developing and will be updated.

What Republicans are accusing Biden of in their impeachment inquiry

No evidence yet has shown that Biden broke the law or benefited financially from his son's business dealings.

Joe Biden during an event in the Rose Garden of the White House on Sept. 22. Photo: Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Biden impeachment

Politics & Policy

An American soldier who crossed into North Korea in July landed at a U.S. military base in Texas early Thursday morning, a Department of Defense spokesperson confirmed to Axios.

Driving the news: The soldier, Travis King, was subsequently taken to Brooke Army Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio, U.S. Army spokesperson Bryce Dubee said in a statement.

"The Army's focus right now is on ensuring the soldier's well-being and privacy. His status will be addressed at a later time by the chain of command," Dubee stated.

Catch up quick: North Korea announced earlier Wednesday that it planned to expel King, AP reported citing the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Authorities said King, a 23-year-old Army private, had admitted to entering the country illegally, KCNA added.

Details: Senior administration officials confirmed Wednesday that King’s transfer out of North Korea was the culmination of a monthlong effort by the U.S. government.

Officials said the U.S. learned from Sweden earlier this month that North Korea wished to expel King, kicking off an intense period of diplomacy.

King was in “good health and good spirits” Wednesday, they added.

Sweden, as the “protecting power” for the U.S. in North Korea, was the United States’ “primary interlocutor” in the matter.  Swedish officials entered North Korea and transferred King to China, where the U.S. government received him.

Officials thanked China for its role in helping facilitate King’s safe transit but stated that China did not play a mediating role in King’s release.

The big picture: The U.S. officials did not say why North Korea had decided to expel King, but noted that no concessions were made to secure his release.

From China, King was taken to a U.S. Air Force base in South Korea, before traveling to the U.S., State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said at a press briefing Wednesday afternoon. 

"We appreciate the dedication of the interagency team that has worked tirelessly out of concern for Private King's wellbeing," White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement.

Of note: Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin confirmed in July that a U.S. soldier was believed to be in North Korean custody after crossing into the country "willfully and without authorization."

The soldier, later identified as King, had been on a civilian tour of the Joint Security Area (JSA) that straddles the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea.

KCNA reported that King had admitted to crossing the border because he "harbored ill feeling against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination within the U.S. army and was disillusioned about the unequal U.S. society," per Reuters.

Zoom out: King, who grew up in Wisconsin, crossed into North Korea the same week he was scheduled to fly home to the U.S. 

He was due to face additional disciplinary measures after serving two months in a South Korean prison on assault charges, per AP.

King's family was confounded by his decision to cross into North Korea. His sister, Jaqueda Gates, told NBC News in July that her brother had been looking forward to returning to the U.S. 

"My brother, he's not the type to get into trouble like that," she said at the time.

Editor's note: This story was updated with additional reporting.

American soldier who crossed into North Korea arrives back in U.S.

King was in “good health and good spirits," officials said Wednesday.

man walks past a television showing a news broadcast featuring a photo of US soldier Travis King

A man walks past a television showing a news broadcast featuring a photo of U.S. soldier Travis King in Seoul on Aug. 16. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images

North Korea

An American soldier who crossed into <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="North Korea" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/world/north-korea" data-vars-content-id="5feecca9-5be4-4930-a3d1-c54842a10c88" data-vars-headline="American soldier who crossed into North Korea arrives back in U.S." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/world/north-korea" target="_self">North Korea</a> in July landed at a U.S. military base in Texas early Thursday morning, a Department of Defense spokesperson confirmed to Axios.Driving the news: The soldier, Travis King, was subsequently taken to Brooke Army Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio, U.S. Army spokesperson Bryce Dubee said in a statement.

China is becoming the most formidable rival America has faced, and the risk of confrontation with Russia, North Korea or Iran still looms. Authoritarians are rising, the chaotic Afghanistan exit revealed the limits of U.S. power, and the pandemic, climate change and other critical challenges continue to pose grave threats.

World

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) on Thursday slammed Republicans for proceeding with their impeachment inquiry hearing into President Biden as the U.S. government teeters on the brink of a shutdown.

Why it matters: Conservative legal scholar Jonathan Turley, a GOP witness during the hearing, said that "the current evidence doesn't support articles of impeachment," but that an inquiry is warranted.  

The House Oversight Committee hearing Thursday marks the first public hearing of the GOP impeachment inquiry, during which the committee said it plans to examine evidence of Biden's alleged corruption and abuse of public office, with respect to his son Hunter Biden's business dealings.

Congress remains at an impasse on finding a path forward to keep the government open that doesn't put House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's speakership on shakier ground ahead of their Sept. 30 deadline.

What they're saying: "It's hard to grasp the complete derangement of this moment," Raskin, ranking member of the House Oversight Committee and a former House impeachment manager during former President Trump's term in office, said in remarks to the committee.

"Three days before they're set to shut down the United States government, Republicans launch a baseless impeachment drive against President Biden. No one can figure out the logic of either course of action," he added.

Raskin even brought a countdown clock — titled "Republican Shutdown" — showing the time left until the start of the shutdown to the hearing, which was placed beside him as he spoke.

He also highlighted the GOP's lack of evidence against Biden.

"If the Republicans had a smoking gun or even a dripping water pistol, they would be presenting it today. But they've got nothing," he said.

State of play: Republicans have vowed to continue working on the impeachment inquiry even in the event of a shutdown, CNN reported.

Thursday's hearing featured testimony from several legal and financial witnesses, though none were fact witnesses with direct knowledge of the Biden family's business dealings.

The White House has repeatedly dismissed the impeachment inquiry as baseless.

Democrats put shutdown front-and-center at first impeachment hearing

"It's hard to grasp the complete derangement of this moment."

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) on Thursday slammed Republicans for proceeding with their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="impeachment inquiry hearing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/28/house-republicans-biden-impeachment-inquiry-hearing" data-vars-content-id="71db243c-a1d6-451b-9f69-ee0bd60828f1" data-vars-headline="Democrats put shutdown front-and-center at first impeachment hearing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/28/house-republicans-biden-impeachment-inquiry-hearing" target="_self">impeachment inquiry hearing</a> into President Biden as the U.S. government teeters on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="brink of a shutdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/25/us-government-shutdown-september" data-vars-content-id="71db243c-a1d6-451b-9f69-ee0bd60828f1" data-vars-headline="Democrats put shutdown front-and-center at first impeachment hearing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/25/us-government-shutdown-september" target="_self">brink of a shutdown</a>.Why it matters: Conservative legal scholar Jonathan Turley, a GOP witness during the hearing, said that &quot;the current evidence doesn&#x27;t support articles of impeachment,&quot; but that an inquiry is warranted.

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) pleaded not guilty Wednesday to federal charges in an alleged bribery scheme in a New York City court, multiple outlets reported.

Why it matters: Menendez — who has resisted mounting calls to resign from within his own party — has now been indicted twice in a corruption case in the last decade.

He and his wife Nadine Menendez, who was also arraigned and pleaded not guilty in federal court Wednesday, were charged with conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right.

Prosecutors allege Menendez worked with a trio of New Jersey businessmen, using his position to enrich the co-conspirators as well as the government of Egypt. Three other co-defendants reportedly pleaded not guilty Wednesday.

The Democrat, who is serving his third Senate term and up for reelection next year, has insisted that he is innocent and will be exonerated.

Details: Menendez was released on a $100,000 bond Wednesday.

The judge ordered him to surrender his personal passports — though he'll be allowed to keep his official one — and to avoid contact with any of the co-defendants in the case except his wife, per AP.

Nadine Menendez was released on a $250,000 bond and must also surrender her passport. She was also ordered to restrict her travel to parts of New Jersey, New York, Washington, D.C., and Florida, per CNN.

Catch up quick: Menendez has faced growing calls to resign from fellow Democrats after he was indicted on federal bribery charges last week. 

Menendez was indicted after FBI special agents discovered approximately $500,000 of cash stuffed into envelopes and closets at his New Jersey home, as well over $100,000 worth of gold.

Menendez on Monday disputed that the cash was part of the alleged bribery scheme, saying the money was from his "personal savings account, which I have kept for emergencies because of the history of my family facing confiscation in Cuba.

Egyptian-American businessman Wael Hana, another of Menendez's co-defendants in the case, pleaded not guilty in federal court on Tuesday.

Flashback: Menendez was previously indicted on unrelated federal bribery and corruption charges in 2015. The case ultimately ended in a mistrial in 2017.

Of note: Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) has already announced a primary challenge against the embattled senator, who last week stepped down his chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Go deeper: Exclusive: New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy warms to Senate run

Editor's note: This story is developing and will be updated.

Exclusive: New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy warms to Senate run

Sen. Menendez pleads not guilty to bribery charges in federal court

Menendez has resisted growing calls for his resignation from the Senate.

Bob Menendez arrives at a Manhattan court on Sept. 27 in New York City. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Senate

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sen. Bob Menendez" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/22/menendez-bribery-charges-indictment" data-vars-content-id="e34bd4cf-3e75-4b4a-9ecc-a98905372564" data-vars-headline="Sen. Menendez pleads not guilty to bribery charges in federal court" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/22/menendez-bribery-charges-indictment" target="_self">Sen. Bob Menendez</a> (D-N.J.) pleaded not guilty Wednesday to federal charges in an alleged bribery scheme in a New York City court, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="multiple" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/bob-menendez-gold-bars-bribery-arraignment-49599ba95fbf19ed5169055e24817fea" data-vars-content-id="e34bd4cf-3e75-4b4a-9ecc-a98905372564" data-vars-headline="Sen. Menendez pleads not guilty to bribery charges in federal court" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/bob-menendez-gold-bars-bribery-arraignment-49599ba95fbf19ed5169055e24817fea" target="_blank">multiple</a> outlets reported.Why it matters: Menendez — who has resisted mounting calls to resign from within his own party — has now been indicted twice in a corruption case in the last decade.

Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce has seen sales of his merchandise shoot up nearly 400% after Taylor Swift attended Sunday's Chiefs game.

Why it matters: Swift has enough star power to give the NFL — already the most-watched sports league in the country — a major boost.

Stubhub ticket sales for the Chiefs home games increased threefold and Kelce has more than 325,000 new Instagram followers.

Swift's mega tour across the U.S. this year boosted the economy as fans traveled, booked lodging, and prepared for the concerts.

Driving the news: "On Sunday, Travis Kelce was one of the top 5 selling NFL players and saw a nearly 400% spike in sales throughout the Fanatics network of sites, including NFLShop.com," sports merchandising giant Fanatics told Axios in a statement.

The Chiefs' game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday was the most-watched NFL on any network last week. It was also the most-watched game among women aged 12-49, according to Front Office Sports.

The big picture: In a 24-hour window after Swift's appearance at the game, Stubhub said ticket sales for Chiefs home games increased threefold compared to the days prior.

Kelce's surge in popularity has extended to his social media follower count. He gained about 325,000 new Instagram followers over the past week. 

That's more than he gained after winning the Super Bowl earlier this year, Front Office Sports reported Monday.

Zoom out: The NFL has jumped on the internet hype bandwagon, changing its bio description on X, formerly known as Twitter, to "NFL (Taylor's Version)."

The NFL also made its header photo on its X profile a picture of Swift cheering on the game while sitting next to Kelce's mother, Donna. 

The Taylor Swift effect: Travis Kelce merch sales skyrocket

The uptick is further proof of Swift's vast influence.

Taylor Swift watches the Kansas City Chiefs and the Chicago Bears game 

Taylor Swift watches the Kansas City Chiefs and the Chicago Bears game on Sept. 24. Photo: David Eulitt/Getty Images

National Football League (NFL)

Kansas City Chiefs star <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Travis Kelce" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/02/10/brothers-face-off-in-super-bowl-first" data-vars-content-id="feae5f06-1765-4ac0-b126-37c203faddb0" data-vars-headline="The Taylor Swift effect: Travis Kelce merch sales skyrocket" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/02/10/brothers-face-off-in-super-bowl-first" target="_self">Travis Kelce</a> has seen sales of his merchandise shoot up nearly 400% after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Taylor Swift" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/31/taylor-swift-eras-tour-movie-amc" data-vars-content-id="feae5f06-1765-4ac0-b126-37c203faddb0" data-vars-headline="The Taylor Swift effect: Travis Kelce merch sales skyrocket" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/31/taylor-swift-eras-tour-movie-amc" target="_self">Taylor Swift</a> attended Sunday&#x27;s Chiefs game.Why it matters: Swift has enough star power to give the NFL — already the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most-watched" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/01/14/nfl-covid-viewership-ratings" data-vars-content-id="feae5f06-1765-4ac0-b126-37c203faddb0" data-vars-headline="The Taylor Swift effect: Travis Kelce merch sales skyrocket" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/01/14/nfl-covid-viewership-ratings" target="_self">most-watched</a> sports league in the country — a major boost.

Shifts in technology and media are changing the way we play, watch and understand sports. Business models are adapting and social change is forcing those in charge of teams and leagues to reconsider decades-old practices.

Sports

After a record economic expansion, the coronavirus pandemic sent the U.S. economy into a recession as unemployment soared to staggering heights. The country now faces urgent questions about how much stimulus is needed for reeling consumers and businesses, and what a recovery might look like.

Ivana Saric

Stories

What Republicans are accusing Biden of in their impeachment inquiry

American soldier who crossed into North Korea arrives back in U.S.

Democrats put shutdown front-and-center at first impeachment hearing

Sen. Menendez pleads not guilty to bribery charges in federal court

The Taylor Swift effect: Travis Kelce merch sales skyrocket