The House Oversight Committee, led by Chairman James Comer (R-KY), is moving closer to holding Bill and Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress as both continue to resist subpoenas demanding in-person depositions related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. The Clintons have offered written sworn statements, but the committee insists they must testify live or face consequences.
The committee’s investigation, expanded in July with bipartisan support, aims to uncover failures in how federal agencies handled Epstein’s crimes and his network of connections to powerful officials. Subpoenas for the Clintons were issued in August after the panel secured cooperation from most former officials through written statements. Only former Attorney General William Barr has testified in person. The Clintons argue they should receive the same exemption, citing a lack of direct knowledge.
Their attorney, David Kendall, has pushed back strongly, calling the demands “unreasonable” and asserting that neither Clinton has relevant knowledge. Kendall wrote in multiple letters that Hillary Clinton “never spoke to Epstein,” had “no connection” to his activities, and never visited his island or flew on his aircraft. Regarding Bill Clinton, Kendall acknowledged past association but said it ended over 20 years ago and involved no criminal involvement.
Comer’s office rejects the Clintons’ stance. In a December 13 statement, he accused them of “delay, obstruction, and arrogance,” and warned that if they do not appear on December 17 and 18, or provide new dates in early January, contempt proceedings will begin. A committee spokesperson accused the Clintons of believing they are “above the law.”
One rationale for Hillary Clinton’s involvement in the probe is the past employment of Alexander Djerassi, a State Department aide with family ties to Ghislaine Maxwell. Kendall dismissed this as irrelevant, stating Clinton had no knowledge of his family background.
Spokespersons for the Clintons argue that they are being unfairly targeted. Bill Clinton’s spokesman Angel Ureña noted that other officials were allowed to submit written statements, while Nick Merrill questioned why Hillary Clinton was even included. Philippe Reines, a longtime Clinton aide, warned Republicans would face political fallout for pursuing what he called an “endless vendetta.”
The committee continues to examine Clinton’s ties to Epstein, including flight records showing multiple trips on Epstein’s plane, some without Secret Service oversight. House Democrats recently released a signed photograph of Clinton with Epstein and other supporting documentation.
Epstein was a known White House visitor in the 1990s and a major donor to Democrat causes. Allegations persist that Clinton visited Epstein’s island—a charge he denies. Maxwell, in a 2016 deposition, also denied Clinton was on the island but confirmed he used Epstein’s jet.
