House GOP moves to hold Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress in Epstein probe
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Hillary Clinton speaks at Georgetown University on Dec. 2, 2025. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images
House Oversight Republicans will begin contempt of Congress proceedings against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton after she failed to appear for a deposition Wednesday as part of the committee's investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Why it matters: Both Clintons will face contempt of Congress proceedings — a rarely used congressional enforcement tool.
- The Clintons are refusing to comply with subpoenas, laying out in a Monday letter, obtained by Axios, to Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) why they considered the subpoenas "invalid and legally unenforceable."
- "Since this started, we've been asking what the hell Hillary Clinton has to do with this, and [Comer] hasn't been able to come up with an answer," Nick Merrill, a spokesperson for Hillary Clinton, said in a statement last month.
Driving the news: "We've bent over backwards. I've taken criticism from people on my committee for giving them so many chances, and, you know, they can't even tell us whether they will show up," Comer told Axios on Tuesday after Bill Clinton didn't appear for his deposition.
- The Oversight panel will vote to hold Hillary and Bill Clinton in contempt next Wednesday, Comer said.
- Criminal contempt of Congress carries a maximum penalty of up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000, though not every witness who defies a subpoena is referred for prosecution.
Catch up quick: The Clintons were issued subpoenas in August, along with former FBI director James Comey and other government officials.
- The depositions were initially set for October, then pushed to December after Bill Clinton said he needed to attend a funeral.
- In a December letter, Comer agreed to delay the depositions a second time because of the funeral but said the Clintons' attorney was "unwilling to provide any alternative dates for your clients' testimony."
- Comer ultimately rescheduled the depositions for this week without confirmation that the Clintons would appear.
The other side: Democrats have largely held their fire on Republicans' contempt efforts thus far, maintaining that they want to see the specifics before taking a position.
- Lawmakers told Axios that they believe these efforts are hyper-partisan, arguing that Comer should also be holding Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt for failing to release all of the Epstein files by a congressionally mandated deadline.
- But they have also maintained their commitment to non-partisanship in the Epstein investigation, saying that everyone who has information should be compelled to come forward.
Flashback: Penalties in contempt of Congress cases can range from symbolic rebukes to jail time.
- Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro were sentenced to prison for defying subpoenas from the Democratic-led Jan. 6 select committee.
- Former Attorney General Merrick Garland was held in contempt in 2024 for refusing to turn over audio of President Biden's interview with special counsel Robert Hur, but the Biden-era DOJ declined to prosecute the case.
What's next: Once the contempt measures formally pass out of committee, the full House will have to vote on it.
- If the resolution garners the simple majority needed for passage, it will then be referred to the DOJ for prosecution.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
— Axios' Andrew Solender contributed reporting.
