WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated on Tuesday that they will not comply with a congressional subpoena to testify in connection with the House Oversight Committee's investigation of Jeffrey Epstein.
The Clintons condemned the inquiry as legally invalid in a letter shared on social media, just as Republican lawmakers initiated contempt of Congress proceedings against them. They criticized House Oversight Committee Chair Rep. James Comer for perceived biases in enforcing subpoenas, arguing that other officials have provided written statements while they were singled out.
We will forcefully defend ourselves, they wrote, emphatically denouncing the potential consequences of these proceedings, which may result in their prosecution. Repeatedly, Comer emphasized that no accusations against the Clintons have been made, merely a need for answers.
In recent history, multiple former presidents have voluntarily testified, but none have been legally compelled to do so. This pledges to create a precedent should the situation escalate further.
Epstein, who faced federal sex trafficking charges before his death, remains a controversial figure with ties that extend into American political circles, including the Clintons and Donald Trump. The ramifications of this investigation continue to unfold, challenging the connections between wealthy financiers and influential politicians across party lines.
