House Oversight Chairman James Comer is asking Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton to come in for in person questioning. This is part of the committee’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and his sex trafficking case. Comer sent the first order back in August. The Clintons did not show up. Their lawyer, David Kendall, later said in early November that the Clintons could answer everything in writing. He said written answers would be easier and fairer for everyone.
Comer said no to that. He said written answers were not enough. He said the Clintons’ past connection to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell makes an in person deposition necessary. He also said that refusing to appear would go against a lawful subpoena. That could even lead to contempt of Congress.
Comer said the committee wants to confirm their appearance. He said the goal is to bring more clarity and responsibility for Epstein’s victims and for the public.
Kendall argued earlier that the Clintons do not have much helpful information to offer. So he felt an in person meeting was unnecessary. He said people deserve honesty from the government. He said the Clintons are open to proper oversight based on real facts. He also said anything they have to share can be easily given on paper.
Comer responded by saying that more delays would count as ignoring a legal order. He stated that Bill Clinton is scheduled to appear on December 17. Hillary Clinton is scheduled for December 18.
Bill Clinton has admitted that he did travel on Epstein’s jet. But he has said he never went to Epstein’s island. He also wrote in his memoir that he wished he had never met Epstein at all. He is not accused of any crimes in relation to Epstein.
Comer’s push comes after former President Donald Trump signed a new law. It orders the Justice Department to release Epstein related files. This includes unclassified records about Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and people linked to Epstein’s old legal cases. It also includes internal DOJ communications and details about the investigation of Epstein’s death.
The move to release these files grew stronger after Democrats released three emails from Epstein’s estate that mentioned Trump. Republicans then released more than twenty thousand pages of Epstein related documents. These documents are real, but what Epstein wrote in the emails has not been confirmed. Nothing in them accuses Trump of any crime. They only show Epstein mentioning him.
Bill Clinton is also mentioned in some newly found documents. In one 2015 email, Epstein wrote that Clinton never visited his island.