Clintons refuse to testify in Epstein inquiry amid legal showdown

Clintons push back against subpoenas in Epstein probe

In a dramatic legal standoff, former US President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have refused to comply with subpoenas to testify before the House Oversight Committee investigating the government’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.

Scheduled depositions for Bill Clinton on Tuesday and Hillary Clinton on Wednesday were abruptly canceled after the Clintons’ legal team sent an eight-page letter declaring the subpoenas “invalid and legally unenforceable.” A public statement echoed their stance, asserting their commitment to defend principles without yielding to what they perceive as politically motivated pressure.

“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,” the Clintons wrote.

Empty chairs and political tensions

Committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, left an empty chair at the deposition table to symbolize Clinton’s absence. Comer expressed his frustration, pledging a committee vote next week to hold the former president in contempt of Congress.

“No one’s accusing Bill Clinton of any wrongdoing. We just have questions,” Comer told reporters. If the full House votes for contempt, the Justice Department will decide whether to pursue prosecution.

The dispute comes as the Justice Department continues to release documents from its Epstein investigation. The first batch, published in December 2025, included numerous photographs showing Clinton alongside Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, though contextual details such as dates and locations were largely missing.

Clinton’s past ties to Epstein under scrutiny

Records show Clinton and his entourage took multiple international trips on Epstein’s private jet, often referred to in media as the “Lolita Express,” visiting destinations including Bangkok, Brunei, Rwanda, Russia, and China. Epstein is also documented to have visited the White House multiple times during Clinton’s presidency, fueling public curiosity and controversy.

Despite this, the Clintons maintain they have no substantive information relevant to the inquiry. Their lawyers offered sworn written statements, as permitted for other high-profile figures excused from live testimony, and argued the subpoenas are an effort to politically harass them while diverting attention from former President Donald Trump’s own alleged connections to Epstein.

Calls for transparency and public debate

Clinton’s spokesperson, Angel Urena, has publicly criticized the selective release of Epstein files, warning that they have been framed to suggest wrongdoing where none exists. “We call for all files to be released so the public can see the full context,” Urena said.

The refusal to testify has already ignited debate online and in political circles. Social media reactions range from calls for accountability to accusations of political maneuvering, reflecting the polarized nature of Epstein-related discourse in the United States.

For now, the legal and political drama continues, with next week’s House committee vote looming, a step that could escalate the matter from congressional inquiry to a full legal confrontation.

{Source: IOL}

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