House Panel Says Clintons Have Chosen Contempt

Bill and Hillary Clinton say they will not comply with House Oversight Committee deadlines requiring them to sit for closed-door depositions in the committee’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, effectively daring Republicans to move forward with contempt of Congress proceedings.

House Oversight Chairman Rep. James Comer has threatened contempt for months after issuing subpoenas seeking testimony from the Clintons. After granting delays, the committee ordered Bill Clinton to appear by Tuesday and Hillary Clinton by Wednesday.

In a joint legal letter shared Tuesday and reported by The New York Times, attorneys for the Clintons argue the subpoenas are “invalid and legally unenforceable.” They say the couple has already provided sworn written statements, as other witnesses have done, and state that the Clintons are prepared to challenge the subpoenas “no matter the consequences.”

The dispute marks an escalation in Comer’s Epstein investigation. Critics argue the probe has redirected attention away from President Trump’s past associations with Epstein and the Trump administration’s handling of the case, instead focusing on prominent Democrats who had past contact with Epstein or his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

In their letter, the Clintons accuse Comer of conducting a partisan investigation “designed to result in our imprisonment.” They contend the chairman intends to publicly embarrass them using old photographs and claim the process is aimed at punishing political opponents while protecting allies.

Their attorneys argue the subpoenas lack a legitimate legislative purpose, exceed Congress’s investigative authority, and amount to an effort to harass and humiliate the couple. The letter cites Supreme Court precedent requiring Congress to demonstrate a clear legislative link when compelling witness testimony.

Comer had planned to stage a deposition Tuesday featuring an empty chair for Bill Clinton. He now says contempt proceedings will begin next week. Axios reports that Democratic members of the committee also did not attend the scheduled session. If a contempt resolution passes the full House, it would be referred to the Justice Department for possible prosecution.