James Comer demands Clintons testify over Epstein ties or face contempt of Congress proceedings

James Comer accused the Clintons of delaying, obstructing, and largely ignoring the committee staff’s efforts to schedule their testimony
The escalation comes as the committee released new materials tied to Jeffrey Epstein, including a photograph of Bill Clinton, Epstein, and Ghislaine Maxwell (House Oversight Committee)
The escalation comes as the committee released new materials tied to Jeffrey Epstein, including a photograph of Bill Clinton, Epstein, and Ghislaine Maxwell (House Oversight Committee)

WASHINGTON, DC: Chair​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ of the House Oversight Committee, Rep James Comer (R-KY), issued a formal request for former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to appear before Congress and provide their testimony.

He also cautioned that if they declined, the committee might bring a contempt of court motion against ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌them.

After​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ several months of unproductive negotiations between the committee and lawyers for the Clintons, who were summoned by subpoena this summer in a bipartisan investigation of Jeffrey Epstein's network, the warning was ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌issued.

Chairman of the House Oversight Committee James Comer (R-KY) presides over a Committee hearing titled “The Basis for an Impeachment Inquiry of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.” on Capitol Hill on September 28, 2023 in Washington, DC. The hearing is expected to focus on the constitutional and legal questions House Republicans are raising about President Biden and his son Hunter Biden. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Chairman of the House Oversight Committee James Comer (R-KY) presides over a Committee hearing titled 'The Basis for an Impeachment Inquiry of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr' on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

James Comer says Clintons have 'delayed, obstructed, and largely ignored' the committee's efforts 

In a letter released by the Oversight Committee, Comer gave the Clintons a deadline to appear for testimony, insisting the pair must answer questions under oath regarding the foundation’s activities and related foreign donations.

In justifying the demand for testimony, Comer noted that previous document requests and voluntary interviews have not fully addressed committee concerns (House Committee on Oversight)
In justifying the demand for testimony, Comer noted that previous document requests and voluntary interviews have not fully addressed committee concerns (House Committee on Oversight)

The letter also indicates that if they do not follow the instructions, the committee might take the step of writing a contempt of Congress charge against ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌them.

“It has been more than four months since Bill and Hillary Clinton were subpoenaed to sit for depositions,” Comer’s statement read. “Throughout that time, the former president and former secretary of state have delayed, obstructed, and largely ignored the committee staff’s efforts to schedule their testimony.”

Bill Clinton letter in Epstein 'birthday book'
Bill Clinton's letter in Jeffrey Epstein's birthday book' recovered from documents from his estate (House Committee on Oversight)

He added that depositions have been scheduled for the couple on December 17 and 18, warning that “if the Clintons fail to appear for their depositions next week or schedule a date for early January, the Oversight Committee will begin contempt of Congress proceedings to hold them accountable.”

Clintons have remained largely silent

While the Clintons themselves have remained quiet, in November, former Clinton spokesperson Angel Urena wrote on X that “Bill Clinton did nothing and knew nothing,” and that “the rest is noise meant to distract from election losses, backfiring shutdowns, and who knows what else.”



Comer, along with other Republican committee members, has on many occasions pointed out the allegations that the Clinton Foundation received donations from foreign governments and rich international donors during Hillary Clinton's tenure as secretary of state.

Republican legislators assert that such paybacks might have led to conflicts of interest and that these could have been a source of impromptu influence on US foreign ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌policy.

LAS VEGAS, NV - FEBRUARY 19:  (L-R) Democratic presidential candidate former Secretary of State Hill
Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton look on during a 'Get Out The Caucus' at the Clark County Government Center on February 19, 2016, in Las Vegas, Nevada (Getty Images)

Scrutiny over the Clintons' alleged ties to Epstein deepened after Democrats on the House Oversight committee released photos from the disgraced financier's estate on Friday, December 12, one of which featured the former president. 

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