Former President Bill Clinton, left, pictured alongside his wife and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, right. (Kenny Holston-Pool/Getty Images)
"The committee does not take this action lightly. Subpoenas are not mere suggestions," Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., said of the Clintons’ no-show. "[Subpoenas] carry the force of law and require compliance. Former President Clinton and Secretary Clinton were legally required to appear for depositions before this committee."
HILLARY CLINTON EXPECTED TO DEFY EPSTEIN PROBE SUBPOENA, RISKING CRIMINAL CHARGES
"They refused," he added.
If the House votes to refer the Clintons for contempt, it would be up to the Department of Justice (DOJ) whether to prosecute. A contempt-of-Congress conviction can carry up to a $100,000 fine and a year behind bars.
Republicans on the committee contend that by not appearing before lawmakers, the Clintons impeded congressional investigations into Epstein and his activities. Bill and Hillary Clinton originally received subpoenas to appear before lawmakers on Oct. 14 and Oct. 9, 2025, respectively, to answer questions on Epstein’s dealings, but even after working with the committee to reschedule, they did not appear for questioning.
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An attorney for the Clintons wrote to the committee, calling the subpoenas "invalid and legally unenforceable" and claiming they lacked a connection to a legislative purpose.
Instead, the Clintons offered Comer the opportunity to travel to New York to conduct an interview by himself without an official transcript.
Comer rejected the offer, calling it "insulting."
"The Clintons’ latest demands make clear they believe their last name entitles them to special treatment," Comer said in a statement. "The House Oversight Committee rejects the Clintons’ unreasonable demands and will move forward with contempt resolutions."
Epstein, a former financier, killed himself while incarcerated on charges of sex trafficking minors in 2019, cutting short a prosecution of his crimes.
Epstein was known to have rubbed shoulders with some of the world’s most powerful and wealthy figures, including Prince Andrew, Bill Gates, now-President Donald Trump and the Clintons.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Despite his concerns, Min added that he also believed the Clintons should have complied with the congressional orders.
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"No one should be above the law, including presidents and former presidents, and congressional subpoenas are an important part of that rule of law. And I think the Clintons should be here. I think it's very shameful that they're not," Min said.
With the committee having voted to suggest House-wide contempt resolutions against the Clintons, the chamber will likely consider them sometime in February, according to statements Comer made to Fox News Digital last week.
Leo Briceno is a politics reporter for the congressional team at Fox News Digital. He was previously a reporter with World Magazine.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-takes-step-closer-referring-clintons-criminal-charges-democratic-support