House Republicans are sharply escalating their investigation into the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, moving to initiate contempt of Congress proceedings against former President Bill Clinton after he flatly refused to appear for a legally issued congressional deposition.
Oversight Chairman James Comer said Clinton’s failure to show up Tuesday was not a misunderstanding or scheduling conflict — it was defiance.
“This committee issued a lawful subpoena,” Comer told reporters. “We gave President Clinton multiple opportunities over months to comply. Instead, his legal team stalled, delayed, and ultimately ignored Congress.”
Republicans say that behavior leaves them no choice but to invoke contempt — a rarely used but powerful enforcement tool meant to prevent witnesses from simply running out the clock.
Subpoenas Are Not Optional
Both Bill and Hillary Clinton have informed the committee they believe the subpoenas are “invalid and legally unenforceable,” according to correspondence cited by The New York Times. Comer strongly rejected that claim, arguing that no individual — including a former president — has the authority to decide whether a congressional subpoena applies to them.
Hillary Clinton is scheduled to appear Wednesday. Comer warned that if she also refuses, the committee will move to hold her in contempt as well.
The Clintons have offered to submit sworn written statements instead of testifying in person. Republicans say that proposal undermines Congress’s constitutional oversight power and would allow witnesses to avoid direct questioning.
Months of Delays
The subpoenas were issued in August as part of a broader investigation into Epstein’s network and the government’s handling of his case. Depositions were first set for October, then postponed to December after Bill Clinton cited a funeral. Comer agreed to the delay but said Clinton’s attorneys refused to provide alternative dates.
After weeks of silence, the committee rescheduled the depositions for this week — again without confirmation the Clintons would comply.
Bill Clinton did not appear.
Epstein Ties Under Scrutiny
The Justice Department recently released the first batch of Epstein-related records, which included photographs of Bill Clinton. Clinton has denied wrongdoing but has acknowledged flying on Epstein’s private jet during Clinton Foundation trips in the early 2000s, before Epstein was formally charged.
Other officials subpoenaed in the probe include former FBI Director James Comey.
Real Consequences — Or Political Test?
Criminal contempt of Congress carries penalties of up to one year in prison and fines up to $100,000. While prosecution is not guaranteed, Republicans point to recent cases where contempt charges resulted in jail time, including Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro.
By contrast, former Attorney General Merrick Garland was held in contempt in 2024, but the Justice Department declined to prosecute — a disparity Republicans say exposes selective enforcement.
What Comes Next
If the Oversight Committee approves the contempt citation, it will move to the full House for a vote. If passed, the referral goes to the Justice Department, which will decide whether to pursue criminal charges.
For Republicans, the issue goes beyond Epstein.
“This is about whether Congress still has the power to compel testimony,” Comer said. “If former presidents can simply ignore subpoenas, then oversight becomes meaningless.”
The next few days may determine whether congressional subpoenas still carry real force — or whether political power places some witnesses above the law.
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