WASHINGTON — House Oversight Committee Democrats intensified their calls Friday for President Donald Trump to be deposed under oath, alleging a “massive cover-up” within the Justice Department regarding missing investigative files. The demand comes as the committee’s probe into Jeffrey Epstein’s associates reaches a fever pitch, with former President Bill Clinton set to testify just one day after a marathon deposition by Hillary Clinton.
Precedent for Presidential Testimony
Ranking Member Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) argued that the committee’s successful subpoenas of the Clintons have established a clear precedent for high-level depositions. Garcia noted that Trump’s name appears in the recently released Epstein database more frequently than almost any other figure, necessitating direct questioning.
“We are demanding immediately that President Trump testify in front of our committee,” Garcia said during a press briefing, flanked by Reps. Wesley Bell and Yassamin Ansari. “It needs to happen right now. The American people deserve to know why files are missing and why there has been a White House effort to shield these records.”
Missing FBI Interviews Spark Outrage
The escalating tension follows reports from earlier this week that the Department of Justice (DOJ) withheld or removed critical documents. Specifically, investigators have identified three missing FBI “302” interview summaries from 2019.
These documents reportedly detail allegations from a survivor who claimed Trump abused her in the early 1980s when she was a minor. While one interview was released, three subsequent follow-up sessions—which reportedly contain more specific accusations—were notably absent from the three million pages published by the DOJ.
The Allegation: A woman alleged that Epstein introduced her to Trump in 1983.
The Discrepancy: The DOJ index lists four interviews; only one was made public.
The Defense: Administration officials have categorized the missing files as “duplicative” or “privileged,” denying any intentional suppression.
Attorney General Pam Bondi is now facing intense pressure to release the remaining two million files mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which Congress passed last year.
Hillary Clinton Slams ‘Political Theater’
The push for a Trump deposition follows a seven-hour closed-door session with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday. Emerging from the deposition in Chappaqua, N.Y., Clinton characterized the proceedings as “repetitive” and “political theater.”
She maintained she had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and had never visited his properties. Clinton reportedly used the session to excoriate Republican members for failing to hold Trump to the same standard of accountability.
“They are hauling me in for questioning while ignoring the very files that name the sitting president,” Clinton told reporters.
Focus Shifts to Commerce Secretary Lutnick
The committee is also expanding its scope to include Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Recent document releases contradicted Lutnick’s previous claims that he severed ties with Epstein in 2005.
Files show Lutnick and his family visited Epstein’s private island, Little St. James, for lunch in 2012. While Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has dismissed the need for a Trump deposition, citing his status as a sitting president, he did not rule out hauling in Lutnick.
“We’re going to be demanding over these next few days that the remaining files get released,” Garcia stated. “Where are these files? These are serious accusations of sexual abuse against the President of the United States.”
What’s Next
Former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to sit for his deposition today. His testimony is expected to focus on his recorded flights on Epstein’s private jet and the nature of their early-2000s association. Meanwhile, House Democrats are preparing a formal motion to compel President Trump’s testimony, setting the stage for a high-stakes constitutional showdown.
