Bill and Hillary Clinton are once again facing potential legal consequences from Congress after failing to confirm their appearances in the House investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The former president and former secretary of state were subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee and were originally scheduled to testify in December.
At the request of the Clintons, those depositions were postponed and rescheduled for mid January, with Bill Clinton set to appear on January 13 and Hillary Clinton on Jan. 14.
Despite the delay being granted at their request, neither Clinton has confirmed that they will comply with the subpoenas.
Their silence has prompted House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer to issue a warning that the panel will move forward with contempt of Congress proceedings if the couple fails to appear.
A spokesperson for the committee confirmed to the New York Post that the Clintons remain legally obligated to attend their depositions. The spokesperson said the committee expects them to comply and will not hesitate to initiate contempt proceedings if they do not.
Under congressional rules, individuals found in contempt of Congress can face serious consequences. In extreme cases, lawmakers may direct the U.S. Capitol Police to arrest the individuals and compel their appearance before Congress.
The Clintons are expected to testify as part of a broader investigation into Epstein’s network and the role powerful political figures may have played in shielding him or benefiting from his influence.
Epstein, a wealthy financier with ties to prominent politicians, celebrities, and business leaders, died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Bill Clinton has acknowledged that he had a personal relationship with Epstein but has repeatedly denied any involvement in illegal activity, per the New York Post.
He has also denied ever visiting Epstein’s private island in the US Virgin Islands, a location that has been central to allegations of sexual abuse involving underage girls.
Clinton has previously said he regrets his association with Epstein and has attempted to distance himself from the disgraced financier since Epstein’s arrest. However, the relationship has continued to draw scrutiny as new documents and evidence are released.
Last month, the Justice Department released additional records related to the Epstein investigation. Among the materials were photographs showing Bill Clinton socializing with Epstein. One image reportedly depicts Clinton nearly naked in a hot tub with Epstein and an unidentified woman.
The release of those images renewed public attention on Clinton’s past interactions with Epstein and intensified pressure on lawmakers to demand testimony from high-profile figures connected to the case.
Hillary Clinton has also been drawn into the investigation due to her proximity to her husband during the period when Epstein maintained relationships with influential political figures.
While she has not been accused of wrongdoing, congressional investigators are seeking testimony to clarify what she knew about Epstein and when.
The House Oversight Committee has been aggressive in pursuing testimony from individuals tied to Epstein, arguing that the American public deserves transparency about how Epstein was able to operate for years without facing meaningful consequences.
Chairman Comer has said the committee will not allow witnesses to delay or ignore lawful subpoenas. He has emphasized that compliance with congressional investigations is not optional, regardless of political status or past office.
If the Clintons refuse to appear, contempt proceedings would represent a rare but serious escalation involving two of the most prominent political figures in modern American history.
