In a dramatic and politically charged escalation of the congressional investigation into the Jeffrey Epstein sex-trafficking network, the House Oversight Committee has issued subpoenas to former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, ordering them to testify and provide documents related to their associations with the disgraced financier. The move marks an unprecedented demand for testimony from a former President and his spouse in a non-impeachment congressional inquiry.
The subpoenas, delivered to the Clintons on Tuesday, are part of the committee’s broader probe into Epstein’s vast web of powerful and influential friends and his alleged role as an intelligence asset. The committee’s chairman, Republican Congressman James Comer of Kentucky, stated that the subpoenas were issued after the Clintons failed to voluntarily respond to a series of previous requests for information.
“For years, President Clinton and Secretary Clinton’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein has raised serious questions,” Comer said in a statement. “Despite numerous requests for information, they have refused to cooperate with this committee’s investigation. We will not be stonewalled. The American people deserve to know the full extent of Epstein’s network, and that includes those who occupied the highest offices in this nation.”
The subpoenas demand a wide range of documents, including flight logs for Epstein’s private jets, phone records, and email correspondence related to Epstein. The committee is particularly interested in President Clinton’s numerous flights on Epstein’s jet, dubbed the “Lolita Express,” and his frequent visits to Epstein’s private island, Little St. James. While Clinton has previously stated he was unaware of Epstein’s illicit activities and had only a few interactions with him, the committee is seeking to verify the full extent of the relationship.
The demand for Hillary Clinton’s testimony is also significant. While she is not known to have had a close personal relationship with Epstein, the committee is probing whether she had knowledge of her husband’s activities or whether any of her work as Secretary of State intersected with Epstein’s network. The committee has previously heard testimony that Epstein had connections to foreign intelligence agencies and may have used his connections to influence U.S. foreign policy.
The subpoenas immediately drew fire from the Clintons’ legal team and Democratic lawmakers. A spokesperson for Bill Clinton called the subpoenas a “politically motivated fishing expedition” designed to distract from the House’s other duties. They reiterated that President Clinton has already answered questions about his relationship with Epstein and that all his interactions were in a public, charitable context. “The only person who would benefit from this is the current occupant of the White House and his allies,” the spokesperson said, alluding to the fact that President Trump himself also had a past friendship with Epstein.
However, the House Oversight Committee has signaled its determination to follow through. The subpoenas have a firm deadline of August 23 for both testimony and document production. If the Clintons fail to comply, the committee could vote to hold them in contempt of Congress, a move that could lead to a protracted legal battle.
This unprecedented demand for testimony from a former President and First Lady is a testament to the enduring and politically charged nature of the Epstein case. For years, the secrecy surrounding Epstein’s connections to the global elite has fueled conspiracy theories and public outrage. The House’s action, while highly controversial, is a clear signal that they intend to use their full subpoena power to bring that information to light, regardless of the political fallout.