Former U.S. President Bill Clinton and the former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have announced that they will not comply with congressional subpoenas to testify in the investigation related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Clintons described the attempts by Republican-led committee as “legally invalid,” while Republican lawmakers announced plans to initiate contempt of Congress proceedings against them.
In a letter posted on social media Tuesday, the Clintons addressed the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, Republican Representative James Comer, stating that the process was “literally designed to result in our imprisonment.”
Contempt of Congress Proceedings Announced
Comer said he would begin contempt proceedings next week, a move that could trigger a complex and politically sensitive process that Congress rarely uses.
“No one is accusing the Clintons of any wrongdoing. We simply have questions,” Comer told reporters after Bill Clinton did not appear for the scheduled testimony at the House of Representative offices on Tuesday.
“Anyone would admit that they spent a lot of time together,” he added.
Relations with Epstein: No Criminal Charges
Bill Clinton has never been accused of criminal acts in connection with Epstein, though he had a well-documented friendship with the financier during 1990s and early 2000s.
Republicans have focused on that relationship in their efforts to demand full disclosure regarding Epstein’s crimes.
The Epstein Case: Broader Context
Jeffrey Epstein was arrested in 2019 on federal charges of sextrafficking and conspiracy. He was later found dead in his prison cell in New York while awaiting trial and his death was ruled a suicide.
Although several former U.S. presidents testified beforeCongress in past investigations, none has ever been compelled to do so. Comer also noted that the committee would not attempt to compel testimony from the current president, Donald Trump, as Congress does not have the authority to force a sitting president to appear.
