Despite numerous mentions in the case materials, none of Epstein's victims have accused the Clintons. Bill Clinton himself claims that he had no knowledge of Epstein's crimes. The deputy director of Clinton's office confirmed on social media that both intend to appear at the hearings.
Interestingly, the last time a former U.S. president testified before Congress was in 1983, during Gerald Ford's presidency.
The Republican-majority House of Representatives planned to vote on holding the Clintons criminally liable for failing to appear at the hearings organized by the Oversight Committee.
The U.S. Congress has the authority to detain those who refuse to cooperate with it or provide necessary documents. The committee can also refer the matter to the Department of Justice for prosecution for contempt or request a court order compelling compliance with the subpoena.
Contempt of Congress is a criminal offense and can result in a fine of up to $100,000 and imprisonment for up to one year.
The head of the Oversight Committee, Republican James Comer, noted that the Clintons were summoned for questioning about five months ago, but they did not show up. After that, the committee voted to hold them criminally liable, a decision supported by some Democrats.
Clintons' Statements
The Clintons' lawyers argued that the subpoenas served to them cannot be complied with, as the couple has already provided all the information they have regarding Epstein.
The Clintons emphasize that their refusal to testify is due to the political motivation behind the hearings, which they view as an attempt at discrediting by supporters of President Trump. On Monday, Bill Clinton's representative, Ángel Ureña, stated that the couple intends to testify at the hearings. "They are ready to cooperate, but you are not," he wrote to the Oversight Committee, adding that they have already testified under oath about everything they knew and are waiting for the opportunity to set a precedent for future cases.
Photographs of Clinton with Epstein were taken over the years, from the 1990s to the early 2000s, before Epstein's arrest for sexual crimes. In one of the photos, the former president is seen in the pool at Epstein's villa, and in another, possibly in the bath.
Clinton's representatives claim that he ceased all contact with Epstein before his crimes became known.
However, they acknowledge that Bill Clinton flew on Epstein's private jet in 2002 and 2003 and met with him in New York in 2002, including visits to the millionaire's apartment.
According to American media, Clinton used Epstein's plane more than 20 times and sometimes without the accompaniment of Secret Service agents, which was customary for him as a former president.
