Pelosi slams Democrats who backed contempt vote against Bill, Hillary Clinton
WASHINGTON, DC: Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi privately expressed frustration with Democrats who voted to hold Bill and Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress for defying subpoenas linked to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
The vote took place on Wednesday, January 21, after the former president and former secretary of state did not comply with subpoenas issued by the House Oversight Committee. The panel is examining Epstein’s network and connections, including his past associations with high-profile political figures.
Pelosi’s reaction underscored growing unease within Democratic ranks over how the investigation is being handled, particularly as questions persist over the delayed release of Epstein-related records.
Nine Democrats support contempt vote against Clintons
Nine Democrats — Maxwell Frost of Florida, Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, Summer Lee of Pennsylvania, Stephen Lynch and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Emily Randall of Washington, Lateefah Simon of California, Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico, and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan — voted to hold Bill Clinton in contempt of Congress.
Lee, Stansbury, and Tlaib also supported holding Hillary Clinton in contempt.
Despite the bipartisan push from some committee members, Pelosi was reportedly displeased with Democrats backing the move. According CNN News, citing two sources familiar with the matter, Pelosi raised concerns during a private meeting, noting that the Clintons were still considering a potential appearance before the committee.
The former House Speaker was said to believe the vote was premature and politically unwise given the broader context of the investigation.
Nancy Pelosi urges release of Epstein files before legal action
One insider described Pelosi as “emphatic” during the discussion, adding, “When she speaks, she means it. She knows her voice has power.”
Pelosi reportedly advised that no legal action should be taken against the Clintons until the Justice Department releases all investigative files related to Epstein. She also pushed back against comparisons between the Clintons’ situation and that of Trump allies Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro, who were previously held in contempt of Congress for defying subpoenas from the House committee investigating the January 6 Capitol attack.
Both Bannon and Navarro were later prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced to four months in prison.
Pelosi’s stance suggested that she views the Epstein investigation as incomplete without full transparency from federal authorities, arguing that lawmakers lack sufficient information to proceed with contempt penalties.
Democrats clash over subpoenas and accountability
Representative Ro Khanna of California, who did not vote to hold the Clintons in contempt, echoed that view. “The Clintons absolutely should testify,” Khanna said. “But it should be after the files are released so we can ask questions about them.”
Khanna added that Attorney General Pam Bondi should be the focus of congressional pressure. “The only person we should be holding in contempt right now is Pam Bondi, who is refusing to release the files,” he said, noting that Bill Clinton has called for the full release of the Epstein records and indicated he would testify alongside Donald Trump once they are made public.
However, Representative Melanie Stansbury defended her vote, stressing the importance of upholding congressional authority. She said she felt “very strongly” that protecting the power of subpoenas is critical, particularly as the Oversight Committee investigates alleged wrongdoing.
The episode highlights deep divisions among Democrats over strategy, accountability, and how aggressively Congress should pursue high-profile figures tied to the Epstein investigation.
