In a fiery escalation of the long-running congressional investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking network, House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) on Tuesday unleashed a scathing public condemnation of former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton after the couple formally refused to appear for a closed-door deposition requested by the committee.
Calling the decision “cowardly” and “a blatant disrespect to Congress and the American people,” Comer issued a strongly worded warning that the Clintons “will pay a very heavy price” for what he described as deliberate stonewalling.
“Bill and Hillary Clinton are cowards who are running from the truth and dodging responsibility,” Comer said in a blistering statement released by the committee. “Their refusal to testify is not just an insult to this committee — it is an insult to every victim of Jeffrey Epstein, to every American who deserves transparency, and to the integrity of the United States Congress. They think they are above the law. They are wrong.”
Comer, who has led an aggressive probe into Epstein’s connections to powerful figures across politics, business, and entertainment, revealed that the committee had issued formal invitations — and later subpoenas — for both Clintons to appear separately for depositions concerning their documented interactions with the late financier. Flight logs show Bill Clinton took multiple trips aboard Epstein’s private plane, while other records indicate social and financial ties between the Clintons and Epstein dating back decades.
“These are not casual questions,” Comer continued. “These are matters of national importance involving potential criminal conduct, abuse of power, and the exploitation of vulnerable victims. The American people have waited long enough. The Clintons’ decision to hide behind lawyers and refuse to answer under oath only deepens public suspicion. They will not be allowed to run out the clock.”
The chairman vowed the committee would “pursue every legal avenue” to compel testimony, including possible contempt of Congress proceedings, referral to the Department of Justice for prosecution, and further public hearings designed to “shine a relentless spotlight” on the couple’s Epstein connections.
“We will not back down,” Comer declared. “If they think ignoring a congressional subpoena carries no consequences, they are gravely mistaken. We will deal with this matter severely and without hesitation.”
The Clintons’ legal team responded briefly late Tuesday, calling the committee’s demands “politically motivated harassment” and reiterating that both former president and former secretary of state have previously cooperated with federal investigators and have “nothing further to add.”
“President Clinton and Secretary Clinton have answered every lawful question put to them over many years,” the statement read. “This is a transparent attempt to revive old smears for partisan gain.”
The renewed focus on the Clintons comes amid a broader congressional push to declassify remaining Epstein-related documents and question high-profile associates who have so far avoided full public scrutiny. Victims’ advocates have long demanded greater accountability from powerful figures linked to Epstein, who died by suicide in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.
Public reaction on social media was swift and polarized, with #ClintonSubpoena and #JusticeForEpsteinVictims trending nationwide within hours. Supporters of Comer praised the chairman’s aggressive stance, while critics accused Republicans of weaponizing the tragedy for political purposes.
For the victims and their families — many of whom have waited years for full transparency — the fight continues.
As Chairman Comer made clear: the committee intends to keep pressing until answers are given — under oath, on the record, and in full view of the American people.
