With Nothing on Joe Biden, Republicans Move Toward Impeaching Him Anyway. 

Detected Manipulations & Suggested Changes

Cherry-picking data

Selectively choosing data that supports a particular viewpoint while ignoring contradictory data.

House Republicans have assembled a decent case that Hunter Biden should not be the president of the United States. Joe Biden, not so much. While his father was vice president and then during the Trump administration, Hunter Biden used his name and perceived White House access to get millions of dollars from sketchy foreign companies seeking pull in Washington. Hunter seems to have encouraged the perception that he could influence Joe Biden on behalf of his clients. He may have suggested to them that he was setting aside money to pay off his dad. Recent GOP investigations have added some detail on those points. But they have produced zero compelling evidence that Hunter influenced Joe on behalf of foreign clients, let alone that the president profited from his son’s ventures.

2 suggestions

Provide a more balanced presentation of the evidence, including any contradictory data or lack of evidence.

Avoid making definitive statements without sufficient evidence.

Omission of key information

Leaving out important details that could provide a more complete understanding of the topic.

Regardless of Hunter’s grief over his brother’s death and with addiction, he should have found a line of work that did not depend on the perception that he could corruptly influence his father. And Joe Biden should have told him that. But the that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced Tuesday is not about that. Instead it appears aimed at highlighting unsubstantiated claims that Hunter’s clients paid Joe Biden to exert in influence on their behalf.

2 suggestions

Include information about any actions Joe Biden took to address his son's potential conflicts of interest.

Provide a more balanced analysis of the motivations behind the impeachment inquiry.

Biased language

Using language that favors one side or viewpoint over another.

Republicans’ own investigations have in fact undermined their case against Joe Biden, indicating the worst allegations against him indeed result from Hunter’s efforts to mislead clients. Hunter was a bullshitting influence peddler. That is not a high crime or misdemeanor committed by his dad. (It’s in Washington.)

2 suggestions

Use neutral language that does not favor one side over another.

Present the information in a more objective and balanced manner.

Unbalanced reporting

Presenting information in a way that favors one side over another, without providing sufficient context or counterarguments.

House Republicans, and reporters, have dug up some damning truths about Hunter Biden—as well as Joe Biden’s own shortcomings in dealing with his son. But Republicans seem less interested in the real story than in advancing bogus, or at least unsubstantiated, claims about President Biden.

2 suggestions

Include a more balanced presentation of the information, including any counterarguments or alternative perspectives.

Avoid making sweeping generalizations without sufficient evidence.

Unsubstantiated claims

Making statements or allegations without providing sufficient evidence to support them.

McCarthy argues the impeachment inquiry is a way to more throughly investigate allegations about the president. But the speaker’s decision to announce the inquiry without holding a House vote, as he previously promised, undermines his case.

2 suggestions

Provide evidence or sources to support the allegations made.

Avoid making claims without sufficient evidence or supporting information.