In a notable development, White House counsel Ed Siskel has urged House Speaker Mike Johnson to put an end to the ongoing impeachment proceedings against President Joe Biden. Siskel's letter, sent on Friday, emphasized that the testimonies and records provided to the House Oversight and Judiciary committees have failed to establish any wrongdoing on the part of the president. Even Republican witnesses have reportedly dampened the impeachment effort, according to the letter.

The move comes amid a lull in the Biden impeachment inquiry as Republicans struggle to consolidate their efforts. With the departure of some Republican members, their House majority has diminished further. Johnson himself acknowledged that it remains uncertain if the ongoing probe will uncover any impeachable offenses. However, he defended the "slow and deliberate" approach, asserting that it allows investigators to thoroughly examine the evidence.

The White House's clear message is that it is time to move on from the impeachment proceedings against President Biden. Siskel stated, "This impeachment is over. There is too much important work to be done for the American people to continue wasting time on this charade."

To pivot away from impeachment, Republican leaders have turned their attention towards potential criminal referrals to the Justice Department. While the specific targets of these referrals remain undisclosed, the goal appears to be the pursuit of criminal prosecutions against individuals allegedly involved in potential crimes. This tactic, though largely symbolic, may lay the groundwork for future administrations, particularly as former President Donald Trump has expressed a desire to seek retribution against his political adversaries.

Responding to the White House's call to end the impeachment inquiry, the speaker's spokesperson dismissed it as expected, highlighting that the closure of the House inquiry into the Biden family and its finances would not come as a surprise.

Meanwhile, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer intends to proceed with a scheduled hearing next week, despite Hunter Biden's decision not to appear. Instead, the committee is set to hear public testimony from former business partners of the president's son. Additionally, Comer is considering legislative measures aimed at strengthening ethics laws for elected officials.

As the impeachment efforts lose steam, the focus on potential criminal referrals and future legal action against the Biden family persists. With the political landscape in flux, it remains to be seen how these developments will unfold and potentially impact the Biden administration.