Former President Bill Clinton’s empty chair at today’s House Oversight Committee deposition has ignited a firestorm on Capitol Hill.
Clinton failed to appear for his scheduled testimony before the committee at 10:07 a.m., prompting Chairman James Comer (R-KY) to announce that contempt of Congress proceedings will begin next week. Hillary Clinton is set to appear tomorrow, Wednesday, January 14, though her compliance remains uncertain.
The bipartisan subpoenas, issued to both Clintons in August 2025 after a unanimous committee vote, stem from an expanded investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s activities, including his 17 White House visits during Clinton’s presidency and 27 flights on Epstein’s plane post-presidency.
The Clintons have publicly rejected the subpoenas as “legally invalid” in a joint statement on their X accounts, disabling comments and framing their defiance as a stand against government overreach. Their attorney, David Kendall, confirmed receipt of the subpoena in August and a follow-up warning from Comer on December 15, 2025. Despite prior offers of written statements, Comer insisted on in-person testimony, citing unanswered questions, as reported by Breitbart News.
Critics of the Clintons argue that this no-show is a blatant disregard for congressional authority, especially given the gravity of the Epstein probe. Comer didn’t mince words, emphasizing that even former presidents aren’t exempt from accountability. The unanimous vote to issue these subpoenas shows this isn’t partisan gamesmanship but a serious inquiry.
“It’s a shame President Clinton failed to appear in accordance with our duly authorized congressional subpoena,” Comer stated. His frustration is palpable, and it’s hard to see this as anything but a dodge by Clinton, especially when other officials like James Comey and Robert Mueller were allowed to submit written statements.
Then there’s the Epstein connection—17 White House visits under Clinton’s watch and 27 plane trips afterward. Comer himself noted he’s only been to the White House nine times in nine years, making Epstein’s access glaringly unusual. The public deserves clarity on what that relationship entailed, no matter how long ago it was.
The Clintons’ joint X post, captioned “This is not about Right or Left, it’s about Right and Wrong,” feels like a calculated jab at the committee’s legitimacy. Their claim that the subpoenas are invalid and their accusation of selective enforcement—pointing to seven of eight other subpoenaed individuals being dismissed without testimony—raises eyebrows. But does it hold water when they’re at the center of such specific Epstein ties?
In their statement, they lament, “This past year has seen our Government engage in unprecedented acts, including against our own citizens.” It’s a dramatic flourish, painting themselves as victims of a witch hunt. Yet, dodging a bipartisan subpoena doesn’t exactly scream “champion of justice.”
Comer fired back on X, quote-posting Clinton with a sharp reminder that “Epstein’s survivors deserve justice and answers.” His post, accompanied by DOJ-released photos of Clinton with Epstein and redacted victims, underscores the stakes. Refusal to comply isn’t just a legal misstep; it’s a slap to those seeking closure.
Attention now shifts to Hillary Clinton’s scheduled appearance tomorrow, January 14. Through Kendall, she’s distanced herself, claiming no knowledge of Epstein’s or Maxwell’s crimes, never flying on his plane, nor visiting his island. But will she show up, or follow her husband’s lead?
The Clintons’ statement also criticized the committee for not pushing the DOJ to release all Epstein files, including material about themselves. It’s a clever pivot—demand transparency while refusing to provide it. If they’re so eager for openness, why not sit for questions?
Comer’s insistence on live testimony, despite accepting written statements from others, suggests the committee believes the Clintons hold unique insights. With Bill claiming through Kendall that he hasn’t spoken to Epstein in over 20 years, the timeline still leaves gaps. Those 27 flights post-presidency aren’t nothing.
With contempt proceedings set for next week, this standoff could redefine how congressional oversight is respected—or flouted. The Clintons’ vow to “forcefully defend” themselves hints at a messy legal battle ahead. But at what cost to public trust?
Their accusation that the committee worked harder on contempt than on the Epstein probe itself is a biting critique. Yet, when survivors and unanswered questions linger, their defiance risks looking like obstruction over principle. The nation watches as this saga unfolds, waiting for tomorrow’s next chapter.
