Former President Bill Clinton did not appear Tuesday for a deposition before the House Oversight Committee's Federal Law Enforcement Subcommittee. The session was part of an investigation into the federal government's handling of Jeffrey Epstein's crimes. Republicans leading the committee said they will vote next week to hold Clinton in contempt of Congress for ignoring a subpoena approved by both parties. The subpoena came after months of back-and-forth over dates and the need for in-person testimony.
Background
Jeffrey Epstein faced federal charges for sex trafficking before his death in jail in 2019. His associate Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted in 2021 for helping recruit girls for Epstein. The House Oversight Committee started looking into why federal agencies did not do more to stop Epstein's actions over many years. Lawmakers passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act late last year to force more disclosures from the Justice Department.
Republicans on the committee have focused on people who knew Epstein, including Bill Clinton. Records show Clinton flew on Epstein's plane several times in the early 2000s, after leaving office. Clinton has said he regrets that contact but cut ties long ago. No one has accused him of any crimes linked to Epstein. Hillary Clinton, his wife and former Secretary of State, also got a subpoena. Her lawyer says she never met Epstein, flew on his plane, or visited his island.
The committee first approved subpoenas for the Clintons and others on July 23, 2025. That vote was unanimous, with both Republicans and Democrats agreeing. Chairman James Comer issued the subpoenas on August 5, 2025. They first set Clinton's deposition for October 14, then moved it to December 17 after Clinton said he had a funeral to attend. The committee asked for new dates in January, but no agreement came. A new subpoena set today's date, January 13, 2026.
Democrats on the committee have stayed away from some of these efforts. No Democratic members showed up for Clinton's scheduled deposition today. The ranking Democrat, Robert Garcia of California, did not attend.
Key Details
Clinton's lawyer, David Kendall, has sent letters for months arguing the Clintons should not have to appear in person. Kendall said they already gave what little information they have in writing. He pointed out that the committee excused five former attorneys general after they said they had no relevant knowledge. Kendall called the subpoenas invalid because they lack a clear legislative purpose.
“There is simply no reasonable justification for compelling a former President and Secretary of State to appear personally, given that their time and roles in government had no connection to the matter at hand.” – David Kendall, lawyer for the Clintons
Chairman Comer rejected that view. He said the committee decides what information it needs and how to get it. Comer told reporters outside the empty hearing room this morning that the panel gave Clinton's team many chances to pick a date.
“We communicated with President Clinton’s legal team for months now, giving them opportunity after opportunity to come in, to give us a day, and they continue to delay, delay, delay to the point where we had no idea whether they’re going to show up today or not.” – James Comer, House Oversight Committee Chairman
Comer stressed the subpoena passed with bipartisan support. He plans a committee markup next week to recommend contempt proceedings against Clinton. A similar step could follow for Hillary Clinton if she skips her deposition Wednesday.
Timeline of Subpoena Efforts
- July 23, 2025: Subcommittee unanimously votes to subpoena Clintons and eight others.
- August 5, 2025: Subpoenas issued.
- October 14, 2025: First date for Clinton; rescheduled.
- December 17, 2025: Second date; Clinton cites funeral.
- January 13, 2026: New subpoena date; Clinton does not appear.
The Clintons released a letter Tuesday morning on social media. It accused Comer of playing partisan politics instead of pushing the Justice Department for records. They said the focus should be on government failures in the Epstein case, not on them.
“Despite everything that needs to do to help our country, you are on the cusp of bringing Congress to a halt to pursue a rarely used process literally designed to result in our imprisonment. This is not the way out of America's ills, and we will forcefully defend ourselves.” – Letter from Bill and Hillary Clinton
Comer has expressed doubt that the Clintons have only limited knowledge. The committee wants depositions to ask follow-up questions under oath.
What This Means
A contempt of Congress vote is rare. If the Oversight Committee approves it next week, the full House could take it up. That could lead to a referral to the Justice Department for prosecution. Contempt can mean fines or even jail time, though enforcement varies. In 2024, the House voted to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt over missing audio files. The Justice Department did not prosecute, but the files came out later.
Legal experts say outcomes depend on the administration in power. The current Trump administration has pursued cases against perceived opponents in the past. Kendall asked Comer on Monday to de-escalate. He suggested good-faith talks to avoid a fight.
This dispute highlights divides in the Epstein probe. Republicans want testimony from Epstein's past contacts to uncover government lapses. Democrats and the Clintons say it distracts from pressing the Justice Department for documents. The committee has subpoenaed ten people total, but details on others remain limited.
Hillary Clinton's appearance Wednesday could change the path. Her lawyer has not said if she will go. The committee's next steps will show how far Republicans push this. Contempt proceedings could slow other work but might force more disclosures. Epstein survivors and victims' groups have watched these efforts, hoping for answers on why crimes went on for years.
The investigation ties into broader questions about powerful people and Epstein. Flight logs and other records show contacts with figures from business, politics, and entertainment. No charges have come against Clinton. The probe aims to check federal handling, from early tips ignored to Epstein's 2008 plea deal.
Lawmakers say they seek facts to prevent future failures. Delays and no-shows have stretched the process. Next week's vote will test Congress's power to enforce subpoenas on former high officials.
