President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are facing a new Republican-led investigation over the use of U.S. taxpayer funds to transport Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Pennsylvania, and the trip, which has been criticized by GOP lawmakers as a campaign event, is now under review by the House Oversight Committee.

The House investigation focuses on whether the Biden-Harris administration inappropriately used government resources to support Harris’s campaign by flying Zelensky on a military jet. as the Daily Mail reports.

During his visit, Zelensky toured a munitions factory in Scranton, Pennsylvania, a notable location in Harris’s campaign. Scranton, also President Biden’s birthplace, has become a focal point in Pennsylvania, a critical battleground state in the upcoming presidential election.

Accompanied by Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a known supporter of Harris, Zelensky participated in activities that Republicans claim went beyond diplomacy. The Ukrainian president even signed artillery shells while at the factory, further fueling the controversy.

Zelensky Criticizes Trump and GOP Figures

At the heart of the GOP's concerns are remarks made by Zelensky that they consider election interference. During the Pennsylvania trip, Zelensky publicly criticized Sen. J.D. Vance, calling him "too radical," and cast doubt on former President Donald Trump’s ability to broker peace in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. These statements have led to accusations from Republicans that the visit was politically charged.

Zelensky’s involvement in U.S. politics has been a sensitive issue since the 2019 Trump impeachment hearings, where he was caught in the middle of accusations that Trump sought foreign interference in U.S. elections. Now, GOP lawmakers are drawing parallels between that incident and the current investigation.

House Oversight Committee Takes Action

The investigation has been spearheaded by House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer. Comer sent letters to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Attorney General Merrick Garland, requesting information on the coordination of Zelensky’s taxpayer-funded trip. The use of a U.S. military aircraft to transport the Ukrainian president is a primary concern, with Republicans questioning if this amounted to election interference.

“The Committee seeks to determine whether the Biden-Harris Administration attempted to use a foreign leader to benefit Vice President Harris’s presidential campaign and, if so, necessarily committed an abuse of power,” Comer wrote in his letter to Austin.

Questions Surround Taxpayer Funds

In addition to the political remarks made by Zelensky, Republicans are questioning whether taxpayer dollars were used for a purpose that crossed ethical lines. Comer specifically requested documents from the Department of Defense to clarify whether the trip was justified as a diplomatic visit or if it served the political interests of the Harris campaign.

The Department of Justice has also been asked to investigate the matter. Comer urged Garland to look into the Biden-Harris administration’s coordination with the Ukrainian government to determine whether Zelensky’s itinerary in the U.S. involved any improper coordination with the Harris campaign.

Ukraine’s Ambassador to U.S. Faces Pressure

Further complicating the situation, House Speaker Mike Johnson has demanded that Zelensky fire Ukraine's Ambassador to the U.S., Oksana Markarova. Johnson accused Markarova of organizing the event in Pennsylvania, arguing that it was politically motivated and intended to interfere with the upcoming election.

“I demand that you immediately fire Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova,” Johnson wrote in a letter to Zelensky. He also referenced Zelensky’s previous statements, where the Ukrainian leader expressed a desire to avoid becoming entangled in American domestic politics.

Republicans Cite Concerns Over Foreign Interference

The Biden-Harris administration’s actions have prompted serious concerns among GOP members regarding foreign influence on U.S. elections. Comer highlighted that the Department of Justice has prioritized combatting foreign election interference and that Zelensky’s rhetoric during his Pennsylvania visit raised red flags.

“This rhetoric coming from a foreign leader released in anticipation of a U.S.-taxpayer-funded visit about the current Administration’s political opponent is highly concerning,” Comer said in his letter to Garland.

The timeline for the investigation is tight. Comer has set an Oct. 2 deadline for the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice to produce the requested documents. As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Biden-Harris administration will respond to the allegations of using government resources to advance Harris’s presidential campaign.

Scranton Trip Under Close Scrutiny

Zelensky’s tour of the Scranton munitions factory and his public statements have drawn significant attention, particularly from those concerned about the involvement of foreign leaders in U.S. domestic politics. His remarks about Trump and Vance were seen by Republicans as crossing a line, raising questions about the propriety of the visit.

Given that Pennsylvania is a key state in the upcoming election, the political optics of the trip are also being scrutinized. The state’s importance in determining the outcome of the 2024 election adds to the weight of the investigation, especially as Republicans seek to maintain control of Congress and challenge Harris’s presidential campaign.

Next Steps in Investigation

With the deadline for document submissions fast approaching, the Biden-Harris administration and key departments will need to provide clarity on the details of Zelensky’s trip. The investigation could have significant political implications, depending on the findings regarding the use of taxpayer funds and the coordination with the Ukrainian government.

As the political landscape heats up, the potential impact of this investigation on the upcoming election remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the controversy surrounding Zelensky’s visit is far from over.