FILE - Former U.S. President Bill Clinton and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attend the funeral service of former Labor Secretary Alexis Herman at the National Cathedral on May 14, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Gett …
Former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will refuse to comply with a congressional subpoena to testify in an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
The Clintons’ attorneys sent the chair of the House Oversight Committee, Republican Rep. James Comer, a letter confirming they’re challenging the legality of the subpoenas, and the two also sent a personal letter to Comer and shared it on social media.
Clintons refuse Epstein subpoena
What they're saying:
The Clintons’ attorney sent a letter to Comey arguing the subpoenas are invalid and legally unenforceable because they seek testimony with no connection to a valid legislative purpose, are intended to harass and embarrass, and potentially run afoul of the separation of powers doctrine.
The letter was obtained by FOX News Digital.
The other side:
"No one's accusing Bill Clinton of any wrongdoing. We just have questions," Comer told reporters after the former president did not show up for a scheduled deposition at House offices Tuesday. "And that's why the Democrats voted, along with Republicans, to subpoena Bill Clinton."
Comer added, "Anyone would admit they spent a lot of time together."
Dig deeper:
The Clintons also sent Comer a personal letter and released it on social media.
"We have tried to give you the little information we have. We’ve done so because Mr. Epstein’s crimes were horrific," the Clintons wrote.
"For most people, maybe even the bulk of Congress, today will be the first they learn of this dispute," they added. Their lawyers mentioned their correspondence with Comey has been ongoing for more than five months over the subpoenas.
"Every person has to decide when they have seen or had enough and are ready to fight for this country, its principles and its people, no matter the consequences. For us, now is that time," the Clintons said.
"We are confident that any reasonable person in or out of Congress will see, based on everything we release, that what you are doing is trying to punish those who you see as your enemies and to protect those you think are your friends."
The backstory:
The former first couple were two of 10 people who Comer initially subpoenaed in the House's Epstein investigation after a unanimous bipartisan vote directed him to do so last year.
Clinton was known to be friendly with the late pedophile before Epstein was federally charged, but was never implicated in any wrongdoing related to Epstein.
The former president had a deadline of Tuesday to appear, with a Wednesday deadline set for Hillary Clinton.
For context:
Multiple former presidents have voluntarily testified before Congress, but none has been compelled to do so. That history was invoked by President Donald Trump in 2022, between his first and second terms, when he faced a subpoena by the House committee investigating the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, riot by a mob of his supporters at the U.S. Capitol.
Presently, with the Epstein investigation, Comer indicated that the committee would not attempt to compel testimony Trump, a fellow Republican, saying that it could not force a sitting president to testify.
Clintons facing contempt charge
What's next:
Comer says he’ll begin contempt of Congress proceedings next week. It potentially starts a complicated and politically messy process that Congress has rarely reached for.
Big picture view:
A criminal contempt of Congress charge is a misdemeanor that carries a punishment of up to one year in jail and a maximum $100,000 fine if convicted.
The Source: Information in this article was taken from a letter sent to Comer from the Clintons’ attorney, as obtained by FOX News Digital, and from a personal letter from the Clintons released on social media. Background information was taken from FOX News Digital and The Associated Press. This story was reported from Detroit.