Former U.S. President Bill Clinton is facing the prospect of contempt of Congress charges after failing to appear Tuesday for a sworn, closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee. The deposition was part of a bipartisan congressional investigation into the late financier Jeffrey Epstein and his network of powerful associates.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., confirmed that Clinton did not show up for the scheduled 10 a.m. appearance, despite being subpoenaed. Speaking to reporters shortly after formally ending the session, Comer announced that the committee would move forward with contempt proceedings as early as next week.
“I think everyone knows by now Bill Clinton did not show up,” Comer said. “This subpoena was voted on in a bipartisan manner by this committee. No one’s accusing Bill Clinton of any wrongdoing. We just have questions.”
Comer emphasized that Democrats on the committee had joined Republicans in voting to subpoena Clinton, arguing that his testimony was necessary to clarify the extent of his interactions with Epstein. However, Comer also noted that “not a single Democrat” attended the deposition Tuesday, a point Republicans highlighted as evidence of partisan tension surrounding the investigation.
Several Republican lawmakers, including Reps. Lauren Boebert, Andy Biggs, and Tim Burchett, were seen entering the committee room. Later in the day, committee Republicans released videos on social media showing an empty chair labeled “William J. Clinton,” underscoring the former president’s absence.
“This subpoena was duly authorized,” Comer said in one video. “The Oversight Committee will now initiate contempt of Congress proceedings against the former president for defying the law.”
Meanwhile, attorneys representing Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is also under subpoena to appear later this week, have challenged the legality of the committee’s actions. In a letter sent to Comer, the Clintons’ legal team argued that the subpoenas are “invalid and legally unenforceable,” accusing the committee of violating constitutional separation-of-powers principles and lacking a legitimate legislative purpose.
The attorneys further stated that the Clintons had already provided all relevant information they possess about Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell voluntarily. They warned that pushing forward could trigger a “protracted and unnecessary legal confrontation” that distracts from delivering justice to Epstein’s victims.
When asked whether Hillary Clinton could also face contempt charges if she fails to appear, Comer replied, “We’ll see. We’ll talk about it.”
If the contempt resolution advances out of committee, it would require a full House vote to refer Bill Clinton for criminal contempt. Such a charge is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $100,000 fine. However, Rep. Burchett expressed skepticism that the Department of Justice would pursue prosecution, citing past frustrations with DOJ enforcement.
The unfolding standoff sets the stage for a high-profile legal and political clash, with significant implications for congressional oversight power and the broader Epstein investigation.