Ask Onix
Comer moves to hold Clinton in contempt
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer announced plans to initiate contempt-of-Congress proceedings against former President Bill Clinton after he skipped a scheduled appearance before the panel investigating Jeffrey Epstein.
Subpoenas issued to both Clintons
The committee, led by Comer, issued subpoenas to Bill and Hillary Clinton as part of its probe into Epstein, the late convicted sex offender. Hillary Clinton is expected to face questions on Wednesday.
Comer told reporters the subpoenas were approved in a bipartisan vote and accused the Clintons of deliberate delays. "We communicated with President Clinton's legal team for months, offering multiple opportunities to set a date, but they kept stalling," he said.
Clintons call subpoenas politically motivated
Attorneys for the Clintons dismissed the subpoenas as "unenforceable," arguing they were a partisan attempt to embarrass political opponents. In a letter to Comer, they stated the demands lacked a "valid legislative purpose" and infringed on separation of powers.
Bill Clinton has consistently denied any knowledge of Epstein's crimes and has never been accused of wrongdoing by Epstein's victims. His spokesperson, Angel Ureña, previously noted that Clinton ended his association with Epstein before his offenses became public.
Photos and past associations surface
The U.S. Department of Justice recently released images of Bill Clinton with Epstein, including one showing the former president in a pool and another in a hot tub. The photos date back to the 1990s and early 2000s, before Epstein's arrest.
A Clinton spokesperson confirmed he took four trips on Epstein's private jet in 2002 and 2003, met with him in New York, and visited his apartment. Media reports, citing flight logs, indicate Clinton flew on Epstein's jet over two dozen times, sometimes without Secret Service protection.
Legal consequences of defiance
Congress can detain individuals for noncompliance with subpoenas, refer cases to the Justice Department for prosecution, or seek court orders to enforce compliance. According to the Congressional Research Service, criminal contempt of Congress carries penalties of up to $100,000 in fines and a year in prison.
If the Clintons continue to resist, the committee could escalate the matter through civil enforcement, particularly if executive branch officials are involved.
Broader push for Epstein records
Lawmakers from both parties have pressed for transparency regarding Epstein's connections to influential figures. Last year, Congress passed legislation requiring the Justice Department to release all federal investigation files on Epstein by mid-December.
After the department released only partial records, the bill's sponsors-Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna-filed a lawsuit last week, asking a federal judge to appoint a special master to ensure full compliance.
