system
A chat on subreddit /r/NoStupidQuestions
human
&gt; He tried to have Zelensky investigate him

Technically he asked Zelensky to *announce* an investigation.  He didn't care if they investigated.  He wanted to send a message that "See!  Hunter Biden is being investigated!  He's corrupt! And so obviously Biden is corrupt!"

It's the same thing they did with Hilary Clinton for years.  Benghazi was just a ploy to push the narrative that she was crooked.  Combined with the amount of nazis and fascists in this country it worked.
gpt
Republicans absolutely love to loudly announce investigations. They know that most people won't follow up or pay attention when the investigation reveals bupkes. They know most people internalize the idea that "where there's smoke, there's fire" and this negatively affects the public's impression of the target. 

This is why when Republicans scream about the investigations Trump's shenanigans warrant, at least some of them seem to honestly believe their own BS about it being a "witch-hunt." They believe it because when *they* investigate anyone, it *is* 100% a bullshit witch-hunt.