Clintons Reject Congressional Subpoena in Epstein Investigation
Former US President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have publicly refused to comply with a congressional subpoena. The subpoena demands their testimony in an investigation connected to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
In a letter shared on social media this Tuesday, the Clintons labeled the subpoena as legally invalid. They accused Republican lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee of designing a process aimed at imprisoning them.
Contempt Proceedings Initiated Against Bill Clinton
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer announced that the panel will start contempt of Congress proceedings against Bill Clinton next week. This decision follows Clinton's failure to appear for a scheduled deposition on Tuesday.
Comer clarified the committee's position. We are not accusing President Clinton of wrongdoing, he stated. But Congress has questions, and no one is above the law.
The chairman added that the committee will proceed with contempt action unless Clinton agrees to testify before lawmakers.
Hillary Clinton Also Named in Subpoena
Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, is also subject to the subpoena. She has joined her husband in refusing to comply.
The Clintons argue that the committee failed to follow proper legal procedures to compel testimony. They claim this renders the subpoena unenforceable.
Epstein Files and Justice Department Disclosures
This standoff occurs as the Justice Department continues to release documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. These releases are mandated by a law enacted last year.
Epstein was a convicted sex offender. He died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges of trafficking underage girls.
Some of the released materials include photographs of Bill Clinton. His representatives have consistently denied that he had any knowledge of Epstein's crimes.
Clinton Spokesman Accuses White House of Deflection
Clinton spokesman Angel Urena accused the White House of trying to deflect attention. This controversy isn't about Bill Clinton, he said.
Urena criticized the timing of the document releases. The White House hasn't been hiding these files for months only to dump them late on a Friday to protect Bill Clinton, he argued. This is about shielding themselves from what comes next, or from what they'll try and hide forever.
He added a pointed remark. So they can release as many grainy 20-plus-year-old photos as they want, but this isn't about Bill Clinton. Never has, never will be.
Trump Also Mentioned in Released Files
Like Clinton, former President Donald Trump appears in some of the released documents. Trump signed the Epstein-related legislation under pressure from congressional Republicans.
Trump has repeatedly denied any involvement or knowledge of Epstein's crimes.
