The House Oversight Committee, led by Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), is intensifying efforts to compel Bill and Hillary Clinton to attend depositions related to the inquiry into Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Recent reports, including one from the New York Times, indicate the Clintons have opted to submit an affidavit instead. However, Comer has emphasized that he expects them to appear in person on December 17 and 18, warning that failing to do so could lead to contempt of Congress charges.
The Oversight Committee has broadened the scope of its investigation following a bipartisan vote in July 2025, which included support from Democrats for a subpoena aimed at the Justice Department. In light of this vote, Comer announced that the Clintons were subpoenaed in August 2025 as part of a wider inquiry into how the federal government handled Epstein’s offenses and his ties to public officials.
Many prominent figures, including James Comey and Robert Mueller, have avoided providing firsthand testimony, citing claims of having no relevant information. Only former Attorney General William Barr has testified in person. The Clintons have suggested they could provide written affidavits through their lawyers, but the committee has insisted on the necessity of a live deposition.
In a letter to the committee, David Kendall, the Clintons’ attorney, reiterated that an in-person appearance was unwarranted. He met with committee staff on September 30 to discuss the request and mention former aides who were exempted. “There’s really no justification for compelling a former president or secretary of state to appear, considering their role or past in government is irrelevant to the situation,” Kendall wrote in his October 6 letter.
Kendall further stated that the Clintons claim they lack knowledge relevant to the investigation, adding that Hillary Clinton has “no personal knowledge” of the criminal activities involving Epstein or Maxwell, and that she has never boarded Clinton’s aircraft or visited his island. He noted that Bill Clinton severed connections with Epstein two decades ago and expressed regret over that relationship. “We remain willing to provide a sworn statement that fulfills the committee’s oversight requirements,” Kendall mentioned in a December 10 correspondence.
Comer has publicly accused the Clintons of “delaying, obstructing, and significantly ignoring” the committee’s attempts to set up depositions. In comments made on December 13, he stated that if the Clintons do not comply with their deposition dates or provide an alternative date in early January, contempt charges would be pursued. A spokesperson for Comer suggested that the Clintons’ stance appears to be an attempt to evade the subpoena, asserting that they believe they operate beyond the law.
The rationale for requesting the Clintons’ testimony reportedly involves the former staff member’s association with Ghislaine Maxwell, particularly with an individual named Alexander Gerassi, who worked with Clinton during the 2008 campaign and at the State Department. Kendall argued that Hillary Clinton was unaware of the connection between Djerassi and Maxwell, deeming it insufficient grounds for a deposition.
A representative for the Clintons reinforced Kendall’s viewpoint. Angel Ureña, speaking for Bill Clinton, claimed the couple had proposed “exactly the same thing” that was previously accepted from others but had received no clarification on why their offer was deemed inappropriate. Hillary Clinton’s press secretary, Nick Merrill, questioned her inclusion in this matter, stating, “We don’t have an answer.”
In a letter addressing the ongoing scrutiny of his clients, attorney David Kendall insinuated that the committee seems to be creating a “public spectacle for partisan reasons.” Phillip Reines, a former aide to Mrs. Clinton, asserted that Republicans would “face political repercussions” for their ongoing pursuit against the Clintons.
Previously, it was reported that in his 2024 memoir, Bill Clinton acknowledged traveling on Epstein’s plane for a trip connected to the Clinton Global Initiative but denied any involvement in wrongdoing. Flight logs and other documents indicate that Clinton has traveled on more flights than he previously disclosed, some without Secret Service protection. Recently released documents by House Democrats include evidence featuring Clinton and Epstein.
As indicated in court filings and media accounts, Epstein not only made several donations to the White House in 1993 but was also known as a supporter of Democratic campaigns. Virginia Giuffre, an accuser of Epstein, has alleged that Clinton was seen on Epstein’s private island, a claim he has continually denied. In her 2016 deposition, Ghislaine Maxwell refuted the assertion that Mr. Clinton visited the island, although she did acknowledge he had boarded Epstein’s aircraft.
