Joe Biden: The Inadvertent Catalyst of the Ukrainian Impeachment Scandal
Who is Joe Biden?
A Storied Career in Public Service
Before becoming the center of a scandal that would lead to the impeachment of a president, Joe Biden was a seasoned politician with a career spanning several decades. As the former U.S. Senator from Delaware and Vice President under Barack Obama, Biden’s long tenure in public service was marked by his involvement in foreign policy, and his efforts to foster bipartisanship.
Vice Presidency and Ukrainian Policy
During his vice presidency, Biden played a pivotal role in the Obama administration’s foreign policy, particularly in relation to Ukraine. He became the administration’s point man in the country after the 2014 Maidan revolution, advocating for increased support to help Ukraine fend off Russian aggression and implement reforms.
Biden’s Role in the Ukrainian Impeachment Scandal
The Burisma Board Appointment
Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, was appointed to the board of Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian natural gas company, in 2014. This connection would later be scrutinized and used in attempts to allege corruption.
The Prosecutor General’s Dismissal
A key element of the scandal involved Joe Biden’s advocacy for the dismissal of Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin, who was seen by many Western nations and international institutions as an impediment to anti-corruption efforts in Ukraine.
Unsubstantiated Allegations of Wrongdoing
Despite these efforts aligning with official U.S. foreign policy and the broader Western consensus, they were seized upon by President Trump and his allies as supposed evidence of wrongdoing by Biden, in an alleged attempt to protect his son from investigation—claims that have been consistently debunked by numerous investigations and reports.
Why Was Joe Biden Implicated?
- Political Rivalry: As a leading contender for the Democratic nomination in the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Biden became a target of President Trump, who sought to weaken Biden’s candidacy through the promotion of the Burisma-related allegations.
- Instrumentalization in Foreign Policy: Biden’s involvement in Ukraine during his vice presidency was used by Trump to allege impropriety, making Biden a central figure in the narrative of the impeachment scandal.
- Media Amplification: The unsubstantiated claims against Biden were amplified by certain media outlets, further entangling him in the impeachment storyline, despite the lack of credible evidence.
The Aftermath: Biden’s Position Post-Scandal
Clearing of Allegations
In the aftermath of the impeachment trial and throughout the 2020 presidential campaign, investigations and fact-checking efforts clarified Biden’s actions in Ukraine, finding no wrongdoing on his part.
Impact on the 2020 Presidential Race
The Ukrainian Impeachment scandal, and Trump’s impeachment, inevitably became part of the political discourse surrounding the 2020 election, with Biden ultimately emerging victorious, becoming the 46th President of the United States.
Biden’s Ukrainian Policy as President
As president, Biden has continued to focus on strong support for Ukraine, particularly in light of ongoing tensions with Russia, indicating a consistent approach to his long-held views on foreign policy.