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By Hollie Silverman
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Bill and Hillary Clinton informed Representative James R. Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, that they would not attend scheduled depositions regarding the committee's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein in a letter Tuesday, The New York Times reported.
This inquiry, directed by Comer, a Kentucky Republican, has placed emphasis on the Clintons and other prominent Democrats’ associations with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, rather than on President Donald Trump or the decisions of his administration related to the original federal investigation.
Newsweek reached out to the Clintons by email Tuesday for comment.
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Why It Matters
The refusal by the former president and former secretary of state to testify as part of the House Oversight Committee's investigation into Epstein has escalated a high-profile conflict between the Clintons and House Republicans.
The standoff illustrates partisan divides in Congress, raises questions about the use of subpoenas, and could set key legal precedents regarding congressional investigatory powers and high-profile witnesses in politically charged inquiries.
It also reflects broader scrutiny of political figures once associated with Epstein, even in the absence of new allegations against the Clintons, with implications for public trust in government and party dynamics ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
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What To Know
The Clintons' refusal was outlined in a letter sent to Comer and reviewed by The New York Times on Tuesday. Comer has led efforts to compel their testimony, framing the matter as a quest for accountability in the federal government's handling of the Epstein case.
He had set deadlines for Bill and Hillary Clinton to appear for closed-door depositions—Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. He warned publicly and in communications that failure to attend would result in the initiation of contempt of Congress proceedings, a first step toward possible referral to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for criminal prosecution.
Before the deadlines, the Clintons jointly submitted an eight-page letter contesting the legality of the subpoenas, declaring them "invalid and legally unenforceable" and announcing their intention to resist what they described as politically motivated demands. They also provided sworn statements comparable to those accepted from several other former law enforcement officials previously excused from in-person testimony by the committee.
The Clintons maintain that they possess no relevant information for the committee's probe.
“Every person has to decide when they have seen or had enough and are ready to fight for this country, its principles and its people, no matter the consequences. For us, now is that time,” they wrote in a public letter to Comer, obtained by The New York Times.
The House investigation and subpoenas stemmed from ongoing controversy surrounding the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein case and the release of files that included photographs of Bill Clinton associated with Epstein's travels.
Both Clintons have denied any wrongdoing, and a spokesperson called for full disclosure of all pictures or records involving Bill Clinton in the case.
The Oversight Committee has already delayed the Clinton depositions twice because of scheduling conflicts, with committee officials saying that no viable alternative dates had been provided by the Clintons’ representatives, NBC News reported.
A spokesperson for the Oversight Committee on Tuesday reiterated to NBC News: “They are obligated under the law to appear, and we expect them to do so. If the Clintons do not appear for their depositions, the House Oversight Committee will begin contempt of Congress proceedings.”
What The Letter Says
In a joint letter to Representative James R. Comer, the Clintons wrote, as reported by The New York Times: “Every person has to decide when they have seen or had enough and are ready to fight for this country, its principles and its people, no matter the consequences. For us, now is that time.
"We are confident that any reasonable person in or out of Congress will see, based on everything we release, that what you are doing is trying to punish those who you see as your enemies and to protect those you think are your friends."
What People Are Saying
A spokeswoman for the House Oversight Committee, in a statement to The New York Times: “The Clintons have not confirmed their appearances for their subpoenaed depositions....If the Clintons do not appear for their depositions, the House Oversight Committee will begin contempt of Congress proceedings.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, told reporters on Monday night, according to NBC News, that it “would be contempt of Congress” if the Clintons do not attend this week’s depositions.
What Happens Next
The House Oversight Committee indicated it would move forward with contempt of Congress proceedings against Bill and Hillary Clinton as early as this week if they do not comply with deposition demands. Should the committee formally vote to hold them in contempt, the process could result in a referral to the DOJ for potential prosecution, though such steps are rare and involve substantial legal hurdles.
The Clintons, through legal counsel, have vowed to contest the legitimacy of the subpoenas in federal court, potentially resulting in a protracted legal dispute with implications for congressional investigative authority and the balance between oversight and accused individuals’ rights.
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