Comer Threatens Contempt Charges Against Bill and Hillary Clinton if They Skip Epstein Depositions
House Oversight Committee Chair Rep. James Comer confirmed Friday that he has threatened to pursue contempt of Congress charges against former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton if they do not appear for depositions in the committee’s Jeffrey Epstein investigation, a move that raises the stakes in a probe crossing into high-profile political territory.
Comer said the Clintons were subpoenaed in August, but “have delayed, obstructed, and largely ignored” efforts to schedule their testimony, prompting the threat of contempt if they do not appear next week or schedule alternative dates in early January.
The committee’s announcement comes as scheduled dates for depositions — Dec. 17 for Bill Clinton and Dec. 18 for Hillary Clinton — approach, underscoring tensions between the panel and the former first couple over compliance with congressional oversight.
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The threat is unusual: contempt is a politically charged and seldom-used enforcement tool that could escalate conflict between Congress and a prominent political family. It follows months of public pressure and weeks of continued negotiation over how and when the Clintons should testify.
Comer’s statement was bolstered by photos released by House Democrats from Epstein’s estate that include images of the Clintons alongside other powerful figures.
One legal expert said, “Contempt proceedings signal serious congressional intent to compel testimony.”
The political impact could ripple into the 2026 election cycle and intensify partisan media coverage, as Republicans push oversight claims and Democrats defend a former president and secretary of state.
Next week’s deposition dates and whether Comer follows through with contempt proceedings are likely to dominate headlines and shape subsequent legal and political strategy.
Clinton attorneys have not publicly confirmed whether the couple will comply with in-person testimony.
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