WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced on Tuesday they will refuse to comply with a congressional subpoena demanding their testimony in the ongoing investigation of Jeffrey Epstein.
In a letter shared on social media, the Clintons criticized the House Oversight Committee's inquiry as 'legally invalid,' and indicated they would not face what they deemed a politically motivated attempt at intimidation from Republican lawmakers, who are threatening contempt of Congress proceedings against them. They described the process orchestrated by the committee's chair, Rep. James Comer, as one 'literally designed to result in our imprisonment.'
We will 'forcefully defend ourselves,' they stated, arguing that other officials have been allowed to submit written statements regarding Epstein without facing subpoenas, while they have been selectively targeted.
Comer responded by stating that he would initiate contempt of Congress proceedings as soon as next week, a process that could lead to both complicated and contentious legal repercussions from the Justice Department.
'No one’s accusing the Clintons of any wrongdoing. We just have questions,' Comer voiced in a press interaction after Bill Clinton failed to appear for a deposition that was scheduled for Tuesday.
This move marks a unique chapter in political history, as former presidents have typically testified voluntarily in the past. As a precedent, Trump's legal team highlighted that no ex-president has been compelled to testify before Congress, citing legal statutes protecting such individuals from forced appearances.
Both Bill and Hillary Clinton have continually distanced themselves from Epstein, despite having a long-established relationship with him, especially throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. However, the ongoing scrutiny from Republicans continuing to investigate the nature and implications of their ties remains tense.
Epstein was arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking and conspiracy charges, later ending his life in a New York jail cell while awaiting trial.
'We have tried to provide any information we can. Our limited disclosures have been a direct response to the monstrous nature of Mr. Epstein’s actions,' the Clintons concluded in their letter.
