The Republican-led House Oversight Committee is set to pursue contempt of Congress proceedings against former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for failing to comply with congressional subpoenas related to their testimonies on Jeffrey Epstein. Committee Chairman James Comer announced this decision on Wednesday, asserting that both Clintons have evaded legal obligations that other witnesses have fulfilled.
Comer stated, “We’re going to hold both Clintons in criminal contempt of Congress.” He emphasized that the estate of Epstein complied with the committee’s lawful subpoena, and notable figures such as former Attorney General Bill Barr and former Labor Secretary Alex Acosta attended depositions. In contrast, the Clintons did not participate, despite being scheduled for testimony—Bill Clinton on Tuesday and Hillary Clinton on Wednesday.
The committee plans to conduct a vote on the contempt charges next Wednesday. If approved, these charges are classified as misdemeanors, potentially resulting in up to one year in jail and a maximum fine of $100,000.
In advance of the hearings, the Clintons expressed their refusal to comply, submitting an eight-page legal letter. In this document, they characterized the subpoenas as a tactic to undermine political opponents, stating that it is “clear the subpoenas themselves — and any subsequent attempt to enforce them — are nothing more than a ploy to attempt to embarrass political rivals, as President Trump has directed.” They further accused Comer of engaging in a process that could effectively halt Congress to pursue their imprisonment.
Comer criticized the absence of Democratic members during Bill Clinton’s deposition. He pointed out that not a single Democrat attended, including the committee’s ranking member, Rep. Robert Garcia of California. “Not a single Democrat showed up today,” Comer remarked, questioning their commitment to justice for Epstein’s victims.
In response to the Clintons’ noncompliance, Comer released images from the Epstein files, stating, “Epstein’s survivors deserve justice and answers.” The Clintons anticipated that Comer would release “irrelevant, decades-old photos” intended to embarrass them.
The scrutiny surrounding Bill Clinton’s past interactions with Epstein has reignited discussions about personal scandals that have previously overshadowed his presidency. Although these photos have resurfaced, Clinton has called for the Justice Department to release remaining documents, asserting that he seeks no protection.
The developments come as the House Oversight Committee moves forward with its investigation into Epstein’s networks and the implications for various public figures. As the legal proceedings unfold, both the Clintons and the committee are preparing for a contentious confrontation over these issues.
