CNN
By Annie Grayer, CNN
(CNN) – Bill and Hillary Clinton turned down the opportunity to testify on Capitol Hill Tuesday regarding the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, despite threats from lawmakers that they could be held in contempt.
“You will say it is not our decision to make. But we have made it. Now you have to make yours,” the Clintons stated in a challenge directed at Republican Chairman James Comer, who had set a final deadline for their appearances this week.
Comer informed reporters on Wednesday that the committee plans to convene next week to advance proceedings concerning Bill Clinton – leaving open the possibility that the former Secretary of State might still reconsider her stance.
This development represents a significant escalation in the committee’s efforts to bring the former president in for a private interview as part of its Epstein inquiry. Successful contempt votes by the GOP-controlled House would serve both as symbolic rebukes against the Clintons and could also potentially compel them to testify. There may also be legal repercussions if the former president continues resisting cooperation and if courts or the Justice Department decide to intervene.
“It’s important to note that this subpoena was voted on in a bipartisan manner by this committee. This wasn’t something that I just issued as chairman of the committee. This was voted on by the entire committee in a unanimous vote of the House Oversight Committee to subpoena former President Clinton and former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton,” Comer said. “Now Hillary Clinton is supposed to show up tomorrow. We’ll see what happens there.”
The Clintons expressed their personal and legal objections regarding this request through a series of letters, which were obtained by CNN, written by them and their attorneys.
The couple argued in these letters that they were being unfairly targeted – pointing out that seven other subpoenas for in-person appearances had been waived. They called these subpoenas “invalid and legally unenforceable,” highlighting what they believed were unprecedented harms being imposed by this administration.
“Every person has to decide when they have seen or had enough and are ready to fight for this country, its principles and its people, no matter the consequences. For us, now is that time,” they wrote.
They added later: “Indeed, bringing the Republicans’ cruel agenda to a standstill while you work harder to pass a contempt charge against us than you have done on your investigation this past year would be our contribution to fighting the madness.”
Following next week’s meeting, House GOP leadership will need to schedule a vote on the floor. A vote from the full House holding Clinton in criminal contempt of Congress would lead to a referral sent over to the Department of Justice, which would then determine whether prosecution is warranted.
The panel issued subpoenas unanimously in August for depositions and has been negotiating privately with their legal team trying to establish dates for both Clintons’ closed-door interviews.
The Clintons claimed they “have tried to give you the little information we have.”
“We’ve done so because Mr. Epstein’s crimes were horrific,” they told Comer. “If the Government didn’t do all it could to investigate and prosecute these crimes, for whatever reason, that should be your focus – learning why and preventing such events from happening again. There is no evidence that you are doing so.”
However, Comer has remained unyielding.
The chairman pointed out that Epstein visited the White House 17 times during Bill Clinton’s presidency and flew on Epstein’s plane approximately 27 times after his presidency ended.
“To my knowledge, former President Clinton has never answered questions about Epstein, and we just had questions because again I think anyone would … admit they spent a lot of time together while Bill Clinton was president and post-presidency; again no one’s accused the Clintons of any problem; we just have questions,” he said Tuesday.
An exchange took place between Comer and Clinton on social media Tuesday; Clinton asserted his position revolved around “right and wrong” while Comer replied with some images released by DOJ featuring Clinton connected with Epstein files.
Among thousands of documents linked with Epstein released by Department of Justice were several previously unseen photos showing Bill Clinton alongside Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
A specific image depicts a shirtless Bill Clinton relaxing in a jacuzzi beside another individual whose face is redacted. Additional photos capture him swimming near Maxwell in an adjacent pool along with another woman whose face is also redacted.
An additional photo shows Bill Clinton holding onto a drink while standing next opposite Epstein-who tragically died by suicide back in 2019 while awaiting trial related charges involving sex trafficking allegations against him.
It’s unclear when or where exactly these photographs were taken.
Bill Clinton hasn’t faced any accusations from law enforcement regarding wrongdoing tied directly with Epstein; representatives consistently assert he severed ties prior before federal charges arose back during 2019 having no knowledge whatsoever about those criminal activities.
“The White House hasn’t been hiding these files for months only dumping them late Friday night attempting protection towards Bill,” Angel Ureña – spokesperson representing clinton clarified via statement addressing photo releases made public December before last year stating further “This involves shielding themselves against potential fallout coming down line regardless henceforth releasing numerous grainy two-decade-old snapshots won’t change anything beyond simply targeting individuals politically”.
Democrats within oversight committee also put forth pictures originating from estate belonging epstein reflecting influential figures linked closely including bill clinton himself depicted along side both maxwell&epstein remaining another couple.
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™ & © 2026 Cable News Network , Inc., Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. CNN ’ s Ellis Kim contributed toward report.
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The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2026 Cable News Network , Inc., Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. CNN ’ s Ellis Kim contributed toward report.
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