The House Oversight Committee is preparing to hold former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress after the pair refused to testify in the committee’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. According to a committee spokeswoman, the Clintons declined to appear for their subpoenaed depositions—making clear, just hours before the deadline, that they had no intention of showing up on Capitol Hill.
“The Clintons have not confirmed their appearances for their subpoenaed depositions,” the spokeswoman said. “They are obligated under the law to appear and we expect them to do so.” If they continue to refuse, the committee will begin contempt of Congress proceedings. In Washington terms, that’s about as polite a way as possible to say, “You don’t get to ignore subpoenas.”
Instead of testifying, the Clintons submitted an eight-page legal letter arguing the subpoenas were “invalid and legally unenforceable,” a claim reported by The New York Times. They followed that with a joint statement vowing to fight Chairman James Comer’s efforts for as long as necessary—apparently confident that written objections are a suitable replacement for sworn testimony.
In their letter, the Clintons argued they had already provided sworn statements similar to those accepted from several other former officials who were excused from testifying. They also claimed they have no relevant knowledge related to the Epstein investigation. At the same time, they accused Comer of running a politically motivated process designed to punish enemies and protect friends—a familiar talking point, even if it doesn’t explain the empty chairs.
The letter went further, invoking President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, Justice Department prosecutions, and Republican opposition to extending health care subsidies, alleging the committee’s actions were “literally designed to result in our imprisonment.” In other words, when in doubt, blame Trump—standard procedure.
The Clintons concluded with dramatic flair, writing that there comes a moment when people must decide they have “had enough” and are ready to fight for the country no matter the consequences. Bold words, though notably not delivered under oath.
The subpoenas stem from a bipartisan move on July 23, 2025, when both Republican and Democrat members of the Federal Law Enforcement Subcommittee unanimously approved subpoenas for ten individuals connected to the Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell case, including the Clintons. Comer issued the subpoenas on Aug. 5, 2025.
Former President Clinton’s deposition was first scheduled for Oct. 14, 2025, then rescheduled to Dec. 17. He declined the December date, citing a funeral. The committee offered flexibility if he proposed January dates, but none were provided. A new subpoena set his deposition for Jan. 13, 2026.
Former Secretary Clinton followed a similar pattern. Her deposition was initially scheduled for Oct. 9, then moved to Dec. 18, which she also declined due to a funeral. After she failed to offer alternative January dates, her deposition was set for Jan. 14, 2026.
The committee plans to proceed with the depositions for the record, even if the Clintons do not attend. If they fail to appear, contempt of Congress proceedings are expected to begin in the coming days.
The message from House Oversight is straightforward: no one is above the law, no matter how famous the name or how long the résumé. And as accountability finally inches forward, Americans can take some reassurance in seeing Congress press for answers—because transparency, not privilege, is what strengthens the country in the end.
