Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her husband, former U.S. president Bill Clinton. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
A committee aide said earlier that the committee would initiate contempt of Congress proceedings "in the coming days" if she did not appear. Comer is already moving forward with contempt proceedings against Bill Clinton.
The lawyers' letter argued Comer's subpoenas were "invalid and legally unenforceable, untethered to a valid legislative purpose, unwarranted because they do not seek pertinent information, and an unprecedented infringement on the separation of powers."
It also compared Comer's leadership of the probe to Joseph McCarthy's 1950s-era abuse of congressional power, while pointing out that President Donald Trump has publicly called for the federal government to look into Bill Clinton's Epstein ties.
"Mindful of these defects, we trust you will engage in good faith to de-escalate this dispute," the letter said.
HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TO SUBPOENA LES WEXNER, 2 OTHERS IN EPSTEIN INVESTIGATION
File photo of Jeffrey Epstein in New York City, Feb. 23, 2011. (David McGlynn)
Contempt of Congress charges are a misdemeanor that carry up to a year in jail and a maximum fine of $100,000.
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Former Trump advisors Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro were notably charged and convicted of contempt of Congress for defying subpoenas by the now-defunct select committee on the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.
The former first couple were two of 10 people subpoenaed by Comer as part of the panel's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The subpoenas were issued following a bipartisan vote by an Oversight subcommittee panel during an unrelated hearing on illegal immigration.
Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.
Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/bill-hillary-clinton-risk-criminal-contempt-charges-after-defying-house-subpoenas-epstein-probe