House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-KY) speaks to reporters after former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton failed to appear for a scheduled deposition at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 14, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
(Washington, DC) – Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are facing potential criminal contempt of Congress after allegedly refusing to comply with subpoenas related to their past ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said Wednesday that both Clintons declined to testify as part of the committee’s expanding investigation into Epstein’s network and whether powerful figures received preferential treatment or protection.
“Hillary joined her husband in defying a subpoena,” Comer said. “We’re going to hold both in criminal contempt of Congress.”
The move marks a dramatic escalation in the House investigation, which has intensified amid bipartisan pressure to release more records tied to Epstein and his high-profile associates. A contempt referral would allow the House to formally recommend criminal charges to the Department of Justice for failure to comply with congressional subpoenas.
The Clintons have long acknowledged limited past interactions with Epstein but have denied any knowledge of or involvement in his crimes. Neither Bill nor Hillary Clinton has publicly responded to Comer’s statement as of Wednesday afternoon.
If the committee proceeds, the contempt votes would be sent to the full House for approval before being referred to federal prosecutors.
