Bill and Hillary Clinton Subpoenaed in U.S. Congressional Epstein Probe

In a move that has reignited long-standing debates about transparency and accountability, former U.S. President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have been subpoenaed by a Republican-majority House Oversight Committee as part of an ongoing investigation into the late financier Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking case. The committee, which is conducting a broader probe into the federal government’s handling of the Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell cases, has also issued subpoenas to the U.S. Justice Department and eight top-ranking law enforcement officials.

The subpoenas were issued despite the U.S. House of Representatives being on a month-long summer break, highlighting the intense public interest in the Epstein files. The probe has sparked significant controversy, with some lawmakers suggesting that the investigation may uncover links between Epstein and current U.S. President Donald Trump.

Jeffrey Epstein, a wealthy financier, died in his prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges. Trump has consistently denied any prior knowledge of Epstein’s crimes, claiming he severed ties with Epstein long ago. The Justice Department has also refuted conspiracy theories suggesting Epstein had a secret “client list,” which Trump’s far-right supporters have long alleged.

Representative James Comer, the Republican chairperson of the House Oversight Committee, emphasized the importance of congressional oversight in this case. He stated that while the Justice Department has made efforts to uncover information related to Epstein and Maxwell, it is crucial for Congress to ensure that the federal government is properly enforcing sex trafficking laws and handling the investigation and prosecution of Epstein and Maxwell.

The probe into Epstein’s circle has been fueled by conservative conspiracists who have long speculated about the extent of the information investigators gathered on Epstein and who else may have been aware of his crimes. The subpoenas for the Clintons, both Democrats, and the demand for communications between the Biden administration and the Justice Department regarding Epstein mark a significant development in the case.

Bill Clinton, who has never been accused of wrongdoing by any of the women who claimed Epstein abused them, has previously stated that while he traveled on Epstein’s jet, he never visited his homes and had no knowledge of his crimes. One of Epstein’s accusers, Virginia Giuffre, had previously described an encounter with Clinton and Trump, but later retracted her statements, saying they were errors by the reporter.

The committee has also subpoenaed former attorneys general from the last four presidential administrations, as well as former FBI Directors James Comey and Robert Mueller. While it was Democrats who initially pushed for the subpoenas of the Justice Department, some Republicans joined the effort last month to initiate the subpoena through a subcommittee of the House Oversight Committee.

Democratic politicians Robert Garcia and Summer Lee welcomed the move, calling it an “important step forward” in the fight for transparency regarding the Epstein files and a commitment to seeking justice for the victims. They urged continued pressure on the Justice Department until all documents are released.

The subpoenas give the Justice Department until August 19 to hand over the requested records. However, such requests are typically open to negotiation and can be resisted by the Trump administration. The committee is also requesting depositions from the former officials throughout August, September, and October, with Hillary Clinton’s deposition scheduled for October 9 and Bill Clinton’s for October 14.