The House Oversight Committee took a decisive stand for the rule of law on Wednesday by passing bipartisan resolutions to hold Bill and Hillary Clinton in contempt. This major move comes after months of the former first couple willfully defying subpoenas related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Members of both parties joined together to send a clear message that political pedigree does not grant anyone immunity from congressional oversight.
Chairman James Comer did not mince words when discussing the Clintons’ refusal to cooperate with the ongoing probe. “They believe their last name entitles them to special treatment,” Comer stated prior to introducing the resolutions. The committee is seeking testimony to better understand Epstein’s sex-trafficking network and how he managed to evade justice for so many years through high-level influence.
The committee first approved the amendment to hold Bill Clinton in contempt by a significant 34–8 vote, with two members voting “present.” Shortly after, a separate vote to hold Hillary Clinton in contempt passed 28–15. Both matters have now been sent to the full House for consideration, marking a historic moment in the effort to ensure equal justice under the law.
Chairman Comer emphasized the gravity of the situation in a post on X, noting that no one is above the law regardless of their prestige. “These bipartisan subpoenas for the Clintons were approved unanimously and issued more than five months ago as part of the Committee’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein,” Comer wrote. He noted that the Clintons responded to good-faith negotiations with “defiance, delay, and obstruction.”
The Clintons maintained their defiance until the very end, informing the committee just hours before a Tuesday deadline that they would not appear. They submitted a legal letter claiming the subpoenas were “invalid and legally unenforceable” and argued they had no relevant knowledge to share. Despite their claims of having provided previous statements, the committee determined that their direct testimony is essential to the investigation.
The committee proceeded with the scheduled depositions, but the Clintons’ seats remained empty, leaving lawmakers with no choice but to initiate formal proceedings. Chairman Comer insisted that holding them accountable is crucial to understanding how Epstein used his connections to avoid scrutiny. This investigation is a vital step toward strengthening laws against human trafficking and ensuring such a network can never operate again.