Former President Bill Clinton did not appear for a scheduled closed-door deposition on January 13, 2026, after being subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee as part of its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. Oversight Chair Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) said the committee will move to hold Clinton in contempt of Congress.
Comer emphasized the subpoena was approved through a bipartisan process and said the committee had sought Clinton’s testimony for months. The committee later released video showing an empty seat labeled “William J. Clinton.”
Hillary Clinton also refuses to comply; contempt resolutions scheduled
After Hillary Clinton did not appear for her own scheduled deposition (the following day), Comer said the panel will pursue contempt proceedings against both Clintons. The committee has announced a January 21, 2026 markup to consider resolutions recommending that the House find both Bill and Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress.
Clintons’ lawyers call subpoenas “invalid”
In a letter to Comer, attorneys for the Clintons argued the subpoenas are “invalid and legally unenforceable” and lack a legitimate legislative purpose, and said the former president and former secretary of state have already provided the limited information they possess.
What contempt could mean
If the committee approves a contempt resolution, it can go to the full House for a vote and potentially be referred to the Justice Department. Criminal contempt of Congress is a misdemeanor with penalties that can include up to one year in jail and a fine up to $100,000 if convicted, though prosecution decisions are ultimately up to DOJ.
Background
The Oversight Committee’s actions stem from a bipartisan subcommittee vote in 2025 to subpoena multiple individuals, including the Clintons, for testimony related to Epstein and Maxwell. Comer has said neither Clinton is accused of wrongdoing, but argues the public deserves answers about Clinton’s past interactions with Epstein.
