On Wednesday, the House of Representatives voted along party lines to formally open an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. The resolution passed with all Republicans in favor and all Democrats voting against it. While Republicans in the House were united in their support for the inquiry, the general public remains divided.

According to an average of polls conducted since October, 43 percent of Americans support opening an impeachment inquiry into President Biden, while 41 percent oppose such a move. This narrow split in favor of the inquiry is significantly closer than the numbers during former President Donald Trump's first impeachment process, where 37 percent supported opening an inquiry and 54 percent opposed it.

The partisan breakdown in these polls aligns with expectations, with most Republicans supporting the inquiry, most Democrats opposing it, and independents evenly split. However, it is intriguing to note that the inquiry seems to have more support among Democrats than historical precedent would suggest. On average, 18 percent of Democrats supported opening an inquiry into Biden, while 69 percent opposed it. This level of intra-party support for impeachment proceedings is higher than the 9 percent of Republicans who opposed impeaching Trump when House Democrats announced their inquiry in 2019.

While public opinion is subject to change, it will likely respond to the findings of the inquiry. Thus far, Republicans in the House have been unable to produce any evidence of wrongdoing by President Biden. Although his son Hunter Biden is facing legal challenges, there is no evidence implicating the president himself in any wrongdoing or personal benefit from family business deals.

The likelihood of the House impeaching President Biden remains uncertain. While slightly more Americans approve of opening an impeachment inquiry, there is stronger opposition to actually pursuing impeachment. An average of polls taken since October shows that 48 percent of Americans oppose impeachment, while 42 percent support it.

With a narrow majority and all Democrats expected to vote against impeachment, it would be a risky move for House Republicans to pursue actual impeachment. Wednesday's vote is being sold as a fact-finding mission rather than a push for impeachment, which has garnered support from vulnerable members who remain unconvinced of the president's guilt and whose constituents are not in favor of an inquiry or impeachment.

Even if the House decides to impeach, the Democratic-controlled Senate is unlikely to reach the 67 votes required for conviction and removal of the president. Therefore, Wednesday's vote is largely seen as symbolic and a display of partisanship rather than a genuine threat to President Biden's position.

As the inquiry progresses, public opinion may shift based on the evidence presented. But unless there are significant revelations that have thus far eluded Republicans' efforts, the chances of President Biden facing actual impeachment and removal from office are exceedingly slim.