Overview
- Bill and Hillary Clinton skipped closed-door depositions on Jan. 13 and 14 after declaring in letters that the subpoenas are invalid, legally unenforceable, and politically motivated.
- House Oversight Chair James Comer says the panel will move to hold both Clintons in criminal contempt next week, asserting Republicans have the votes to advance the charges in committee and on the House floor.
- If the committee and then the full House approve contempt, the matter could be referred to the Justice Department, which would decide whether to pursue prosecution, a step that is uncommon and carries misdemeanor penalties.
- Comer says lawmakers are not alleging wrongdoing by the Clintons but want answers about Bill Clinton’s interactions with Jeffrey Epstein; the Clintons say they have already provided limited information and offered certified declarations.
- The Justice Department continues to review and release Epstein-related records required by law, including photos and references to Bill Clinton, while noting that millions of pages remain under review and many disclosures are heavily redacted.