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The House Oversight Committee is set to consider contempt charges against former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday for failing to appear at scheduled depositions in the congressional investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
If approved by the committee, the contempt resolutions would proceed to the full House of Representatives for consideration, potentially leading to formal contempt of Congress charges against the former first couple.
“President Clinton refused to appear for his scheduled deposition on January 13, 2026. President Clinton’s unwillingness to comply with the subpoena, even after the Oversight Committee agreed to postpone his deposition date, at his request, for nearly a month, has substantially interfered with the Oversight Committee’s investigation,” the committee stated in its findings.
The committee had initially requested the Clintons to testify last October, with Bill Clinton scheduled for October 14 and Hillary Clinton for October 9, 2025. The dates were subsequently rescheduled at the Clintons’ request, but both still failed to appear for their rescheduled depositions.
Jeffrey Epstein, a wealthy financier with connections to numerous high-profile individuals, died by suicide in 2019 while in federal custody awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His death cut short what would have been a high-profile prosecution that many speculated could have implicated powerful figures in his orbit.
Epstein was known to have associated with an array of influential people, including members of the British royal family, former presidents, business leaders, and other prominent individuals. Bill Clinton’s connections to Epstein have drawn particular scrutiny from congressional investigators.
Recent disclosures from the Department of Justice, released in compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, have intensified this scrutiny. The documents included previously unreleased photographs showing Clinton with Epstein, which, while not evidence of wrongdoing in themselves, have raised new questions about the nature and extent of their relationship.
“In particular, President Clinton possesses firsthand information regarding the activities of Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell and their efforts to establish relationships and curry favor with influential individuals while operating a sex-trafficking ring,” the committee wrote, referencing Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s associate who was convicted in 2021 of sex trafficking crimes.
The committee further noted that Clinton’s testimony “may inform the Oversight Committee’s consideration of legislative reforms designed to combat the operation of sex-trafficking rings, efforts to shield them from scrutiny and ethics reforms for current and former elected officials.”
While the Clintons are not the only individuals subpoenaed in this investigation—House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) issued subpoenas to ten people in total—they are currently the only ones facing potential contempt charges for non-compliance.
The subpoenas were issued following a bipartisan committee vote during an unrelated hearing last summer. However, since then, the investigation has become increasingly partisan, with Democrats and Republicans accusing each other of politicizing the probe at the expense of focusing on justice for Epstein’s victims.
Republican committee members are expected to vote largely along party lines to advance the contempt resolutions. According to Chairman Comer, the full House would likely vote on both resolutions within three legislative days after committee approval. Given the House’s scheduled recess next week, this would place the vote sometime in February.
The move to hold the Clintons in contempt represents a significant escalation in the congressional Epstein investigation and highlights the continued political tensions surrounding the case. It also underscores the challenges facing congressional oversight investigations when they involve high-profile political figures from previous administrations.
If the House ultimately approves the contempt resolutions, the matter could potentially be referred to the Department of Justice for consideration of criminal contempt charges, though such prosecutions are relatively rare, especially against former high-ranking government officials.
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8 Comments
It’s concerning that the former president and first lady allegedly failed to comply with a congressional subpoena. However, there may be more to this story that isn’t being reported.
Contempt of Congress charges are serious. I hope the facts come to light and justice is served, regardless of the Clintons’ political affiliations.
This is a complex and politically sensitive issue. I’ll reserve judgment until more information is available and the investigation can run its course.
Agreed. Rushing to conclusions without all the facts could be counterproductive.
Contempt of Congress is a serious charge. I’m curious to see how the Oversight Committee’s investigation unfolds and what the Clintons’ response will be.
The Epstein scandal has been shrouded in controversy. I’m curious to see how this latest development plays out and what the Clintons have to say in their defense.
This seems like a politically charged story. I’d want to see more details and unbiased reporting before forming an opinion on the Clintons’ involvement or potential charges.
The Clintons have a long history of being at the center of political controversies. I hope this inquiry is conducted fairly and transparently.