The Oversight Committee previously issued formal notices to the Clintons requiring them to appear for hearings. In response, the committee chairman, Republican James Comer, stated that he would begin proceedings against Bill Clinton for contempt of Congress next Wednesday. If Hillary also fails to appear at the hearings, a similar measure will be applied to her.
Comer noted that the Clintons were subpoenaed to testify more than four months ago but did not show up. "During this time, they have evaded interaction and shown no interest in scheduling a date for their testimony," he added in December.
The U.S. Congress has the authority to detain those who refuse to testify or provide documents. It can also refer the matter to the Department of Justice to request criminal charges for contempt or ask a court to enforce the subpoena.
Contempt of Congress is classified as a criminal offense, punishable by a fine of up to $100,000 and imprisonment for up to one year.
Clintons' Reaction
The Clintons' lawyers argue that the subpoenas they received are impossible to comply with, emphasizing that the couple has already provided all available information about Jeffrey Epstein.
The Clintons believe that their refusal to testify is motivated by the political nature of the hearings. "This is just an attempt to smear political opponents at the direction of President Trump," they stated. In a letter from the Clintons to Comer, it is emphasized that "a reasonable person" would understand that this is about attempts to punish enemies and protect friends.
"This is not a matter of political views, but a principled difference between right and wrong," Bill Clinton noted in his message.
Victims of Epstein's crimes have never accused Clinton of any wrongdoing. The former president claims he was unaware of Epstein's crimes.
In materials released by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bill Clinton is seen in numerous photographs with Epstein. These materials were disclosed under a law passed by Congress.
The photos date from the 1990s to the early 2000s, before Epstein's arrest for sex trafficking.
In one photo, Clinton is seen in a pool at Epstein's villa.
Clinton's representatives claim that he severed all contacts with Epstein before his crimes became known.
However, they acknowledge that Bill Clinton flew on Epstein's private plane four times in 2002 and 2003 and also met with him in New York in 2002, when he visited the millionaire's apartment.
According to reports from American media, Clinton took trips on Epstein's plane more than 20 times, including without Secret Service agents, which was customary for him as a former president.
In recent years, members of Congress from both parties have demanded more information about Epstein's connections with influential people. They passed a law requiring all documents related to the financier's case to be made public by mid-December of last year.
However, the Department of Justice has only released part of the materials, and last week the bill's sponsors went to court to request the appointment of a special administrator to ensure compliance with the law.
