‘It’s Shameful and Illegal’: House Committee Moves to Hold the Clintons in Contempt of Congress for Defying Subpoena
Republicans on the House Oversight Committee voted Wednesday to hold former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with subpoenas demanding their testimony about their knowledge of and connections to Jeffrey Epstein.
The party-line vote advances a measure that—if approved by the full House and referred to the Justice Department—could result in criminal charges carrying up to one year in prison and fines of up to $100,000 for each Clinton.
Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) announced the action shortly after the vote, stating: “They possessed information directly relevant to the investigation. The Clintons had documented relationships with Epstein and Maxwell, evidenced by numerous photographs, flight log records, wedding invitations, and other materials.”
The full House is expected to vote on the contempt resolution in approximately two weeks, according to Comer.
The move immediately drew fierce Democratic opposition, with members accusing Republicans of selective outrage and hypocrisy. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) delivered a pointed critique during the hearing: “It is shameful, illegal, and unconstitutional that the Department of Justice has released 1% of the files! Where is the pressure to get Pam Bondi to release the files? Instead, your focus and the committee is focused on whoever you perceive to be your enemies and the enemies of Donald Trump.”
Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.) offered an amendment to the contempt resolution that would have also held Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt for failing to meet multiple deadlines under the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA), which required full release of all Epstein-related documents by December 19, 2025. The amendment was defeated along party lines.
Garcia added: “Because let’s be clear: we want to talk to President Bill Clinton, we want him to answer our questions! We also want to understand why Pam Bondi refuses to release all the files.”
The EFTA, signed into law by President Trump in November 2025, mandated the Justice Department to declassify and publicly release all Epstein files by the December 19 deadline. The DOJ has released only a small fraction of the documents—many heavily redacted, prompting repeated accusations of obstruction from Democrats and even some Republicans.
Looking at the Subpoenas and Clinton Connections
The subpoenas were issued as part of the committee’s ongoing investigation into Epstein’s network, his 2019 death (officially ruled a suicide), and potential involvement or knowledge by high-profile figures. Both Clintons have been linked to Epstein through photographs, flight logs from his private jet, and social events, though neither has been accused of wrongdoing in connection with his criminal activities.
Bill Clinton has acknowledged flying on Epstein’s plane multiple times but has denied knowledge of or participation in any illegal conduct. Hillary Clinton has not been directly tied to Epstein in released documents beyond social overlap.
The Clintons have refused to appear before the committee, citing executive privilege concerns (for Bill Clinton) and arguing that the subpoenas are politically motivated and lack legitimate legislative purpose.
The contempt vote is largely symbolic under current Republican control of the House. Even if passed by the full chamber, referral to the Justice Department—led by Attorney General Pam Bondi would almost certainly result in no prosecution.
However, the move serves several political purposes: It keeps the Epstein scandal in the headlines, potentially pressuring the administration to accelerate file releases. It also allows Republicans to highlight what they describe as Democratic “double standards” on accountability. More so, it positions the issue as a midterm talking point, framing Democrats as protecting powerful allies.
Democrats counter that the focus on the Clintons is selective and distracts from what they call Bondi’s “illegal” delay in complying with the EFTA. They point out that the DOJ has released only a tiny fraction of the estimated millions of pages of Epstein-related documents.
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What to Expect Next
If the full House approves the contempt resolution, the matter would be referred to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia for potential prosecution. Given the political dynamics and DOJ leadership under Bondi, prosecution is considered highly unlikely.
Meanwhile, pressure continues to mount for full release of the Epstein files. Congressional Democrats and some Republicans (including Rep. Thomas Massie) have threatened contempt proceedings against Bondi unless the remaining documents are made public.
The Oversight Committee’s action ensures the Epstein investigation and the Clintons’ role in it—remains a flashpoint heading into the 2026 midterms.
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For now, the contempt vote is more political theater than legal consequence, but it shows the deep partisan divide over transparency, accountability, and the handling of one of the most explosive scandals in modern American history.
The committee’s next moves and the Justice Department’s response will determine whether this remains a partisan skirmish or escalates into a broader constitutional confrontation.
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