Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have formally refused to comply with a congressional subpoena requiring their testimony in an ongoing investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, calling the move by Republican lawmakers “legally invalid.”
In a letter released on social media Tuesday, the Clintons told House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer that the committee’s demands are a setup. They argued that the Republican-led process is “literally designed to result in our imprisonment” rather than a genuine fact-finding mission.
Following Bill Clinton’s absence at a scheduled deposition at House offices on Tuesday, Rep. Comer announced plans to initiate contempt of Congress proceedings next week—a rare and politically charged step for the legislature.
Despite the threat of legal action, Comer insisted the committee’s intentions are investigative, not punitive.
“No one’s accusing the Clintons of any wrongdoing. We just have questions,” Comer told reporters following the missed deposition. “Anyone would admit they spent a lot of time together.”
While Bill Clinton has never been accused of criminal activity regarding Epstein, he maintained a well-documented friendship with the financier during the 1990s and early 2000s.
Republicans have focused on these historical ties as they push for a broader accounting of Epstein’s network. Epstein, who was arrested on federal sex trafficking and conspiracy charges in 2019, died by suicide in a New York jail cell while awaiting trial.
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The dispute touches on complex legal precedents regarding executive privilege and congressional authority. While former presidents have voluntarily testified before Congress in the past, none have been successfully compelled to do so against their will.
Comer also clarified the committee’s boundaries regarding other high-profile figures linked to Epstein. He indicated that the committee would not attempt to force testimony from President Donald Trump, citing an inability to compel a sitting president to testify.
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