The House Oversight Committee today announced its intent to initiate contempt of Congress proceedings against former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton following their refusal to comply with lawful subpoenas related to the ongoing investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's criminal activities.
The Committee subpoenaed the Clintons in August to provide closed-door testimony on their associations with Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges.
Bill Clinton failed to appear for his scheduled deposition on Tuesday, and Hillary Clinton is expected to skip hers on Wednesday. This non-compliance has prompted immediate action from Committee Republicans.
Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) stated, "The Clintons' decision to defy congressional subpoenas is unacceptable and undermines the pursuit of transparency and accountability. No one is above the law, and we will move forward with contempt proceedings next week to ensure compliance."
Comer emphasized that the investigation seeks answers about Epstein's network, noting Bill Clinton's documented travels on Epstein's private plane and social interactions, though no wrongdoing has been alleged against the Clintons.
In a letter to the Committee, the Clintons' attorneys described the subpoenas as "legally invalid" and accused the process of being politically motivated to result in their imprisonment. Despite these claims, the Committee maintains that the subpoenas are valid and essential for a thorough examination of Epstein's operations and potential enablers.
The Oversight Committee, under Republican leadership, has prioritized this probe to uncover details about Epstein's trafficking ring and hold accountable those connected to it. Democrats boycotted the scheduled depositions, highlighting partisan divisions on the issue.
Should the full House approve contempt citations, the matter would be referred to the Department of Justice for potential prosecution, which could include fines or imprisonment.
The Committee urges the Clintons to reconsider their stance and cooperate voluntarily to advance the investigation for the sake of victims and public trust.