US House's McCarthy opens long-shot impeachment probe of Biden

U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) holds a press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S. May 31, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Republican U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Tuesday launched an impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden, propelling Congress toward a long-shot effort to remove the Democratic president following two impeachments of former President Donald Trump.

McCarthy's move sets the stage for months of divisive House of Representatives hearings that could distract from lawmakers' efforts to avoid a government shutdown and could supercharge the 2024 presidential race, in which Trump hopes to avenge his 2020 election loss to Biden and win back the White House.