In testimony before Congress on Thursday, George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley said the House has not presented sufficient evidence to impeach President Joe Biden.

Delivering his opening statement, Turley underscored the early timing of the hearing in the impeachment process, as House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) announced a formal inquiry into corruption allegations only weeks ago.

“I want to emphasize what it is that we’re here today for: this is the question of an impeachment inquiry,” Turley said. “It is not a vote on articles of impeachment. In fact, I do not believe that the current evidence would support articles of impeachment. That is something that an inquiry has to establish.”

Fox News legal analyst Jonathan Turley, one of the GOP's impeachment witnesses, says: "I do not believe that the current evidence would support articles of impeachment… But I also do believe that the House has passed the threshold for an impeachment inquiry." pic.twitter.com/x3cfYKwr5o

— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) September 28, 2023

Turley also said he believes the House “has passed the threshold for an impeachment inquiry into the conduct of President Biden, noting that three “inescapable facts” led him to such a conclusion.

He testified that Biden “has indeed spoken falsely” about foreign business deals, “was the focus of a multi-million dollar influence peddling scheme,” and “may have benefited” from that money.

“Now those facts should not be taken out of context,” Turley said, “they are merely allegations and they should not become presumptions of impeachable conduct.”

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Turley claimed he had not liked any president since James Madison because they all had been dishonest. The legal expert, who has participated in multiple impeachment inquiries dating back to the Clinton administration, also indicated his written testimony lays out “guardrails” to stop both major parties from abusing the power.

“Presidential impeachment shouldn’t be a closed question” and “shouldn’t be a rush to judgment,” he said. Turley added that “confirmation bias” should be avoided and encouraged people to stand together before they judge the evidence.

Three other witnesses were sworn in at the hearing on Thursday.

The Republican majority had forensic accountant Bruce Dubinsky and former Assistant Attorney General Eileen O’Connor. Democrats invited Michael Gerhardt, a professor of jurisprudence at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

At the beginning of the hearing, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) said the committee would examine over two dozen pieces of evidence “revealing” Biden’s “corruption and abuse of public office.” He also pledged the Oversight Committee, while led by Republicans, will not pursue “witch hunts” based on “manufactured allegations, innuendo, and no real evidence.”

Democrats have dismissed the Biden impeachment inquiry as a politically motivated endeavor lacking evidence, while the White House has called on the media to assist in its efforts to ward off the investigation.

Beloved “Harry Potter” actor Sir Michael Gambon has died at the age of 82.

The Irish star was best known for portraying Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight “Harry Potter” films. His publicist, Clair Dobbs, issued a statement announcing his passing. 

“We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon,” the statement said, per PA Media.

“Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia. Michael was 82. We ask that you respect our privacy at this painful time and thank you for your messages of support and love.”

Gambon was a working actor for more than six decades and was known for his voice’s deep, recognizable tones. He was cast as Dumbledore in the “Harry Potter” movies after the death of Richard Harris in 2002. 

The actor said he didn’t read any of J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” books because he didn’t want them to influence his performance, preferring to stick to the script instead. 

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Though Gambon was internationally known for playing such an important role in “Harry Potter,” that was not the full extent of his skills. The performer also starred in TV, theater, and radio projects. He gravitated toward Shakespearean plays, appearing in “Othello,” “Hamlet,” “Macbeth,” and “Coriolanus.” Gambon also worked on dozens of films, including “Gosford Park,” “The King’s Speech,” and “Paddington.”

The actor was knighted for services to drama in 1998. He also received three Olivier Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and four BAFTA Awards.

Gambon retired from acting in 2015 after having trouble remembering his lines. He told Sunday Times magazine at the time, “It’s a horrible thing to admit but I can’t do it. It breaks my heart. It’s when the script’s in front of me and it takes forever to learn. It’s frightening.”

The actor was married to Anne Miller since 1962 and had a son, Fergus, with her. Gambon was notoriously private about his home life, but an affair he had with Philippa Hart went public. He eventually moved out of the home he shared with his wife. Gambon and Miller never divorced. His mistress, who was 25 years younger, gave birth to two of his children in 2007 and 2009.