House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Clintons And DOJ Officials In Epstein Probe

Full Epstein Files Demanded By August 19

Tone & Political Bias: Moderately Right-Leaning

Why: The focus on high-profile Democratic figures, including Bill and Hillary Clinton, and criticism of the DOJ reflect Republican-led investigatory priorities.

FranklinU, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

What’s Happening

The House Oversight Committee, led by Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), has issued subpoenas to former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and several former Justice Department and FBI officials. The move is part of an ongoing investigation into the crimes and legal proceedings related to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Who Was Subpoenaed

Those called to testify include Bill and Hillary Clinton, former Attorneys General Loretta Lynch, Eric Holder, Bill Barr, Merrick Garland, Jeff Sessions, and Alberto Gonzales, as well as former FBI Directors James Comey and Robert Mueller. The committee seeks to question them about decisions made throughout Epstein’s legal history, including past plea deals and civil litigation involving victims.

Records Demanded

In addition to the subpoenas, Chairman Comer has demanded that the Department of Justice hand over the “full, complete, unredacted Epstein Files” by August 19, 2025. This comes amid public backlash over the DOJ’s recent statement that no additional people would be charged and that no further information would be released regarding the case.

Key Allegations In the Clinton Subpoena

Comer’s letter to President Clinton highlights that, by his own admission, Clinton flew on Epstein’s private jet four times in 2002 and 2003. The letter also references Clinton’s reported closeness to Ghislaine Maxwell, including attending a private dinner with her in 2014, years after public reports surfaced about her alleged involvement in Epstein’s abuse of minors.

Comer noted conflicting reports about whether Clinton visited Epstein’s private island, a claim he has repeatedly denied. Donald Trump has publicly accused Clinton of visiting the island 28 times, but has not provided evidence.

Clinton Camp’s Response

A 2019 statement from Clinton spokesperson Angel Urena said the president knew nothing about Epstein’s crimes. He confirmed Clinton’s four trips on Epstein’s plane in connection with Clinton Foundation work and noted that staff and Secret Service agents were present on each trip.

The statement also emphasized that Clinton had not spoken to Epstein in more than a decade. The Clintons have not yet publicly responded to the latest subpoena.

DOJ Scrutiny Over Past Deals

The Oversight Committee intends to question the former DOJ and FBI officials about Epstein’s 2008 non-prosecution agreement made with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Florida, as well as the DOJ’s efforts to challenge or dismiss civil lawsuits brought by Epstein’s victims.

Notably absent from the list of subpoenas is former Labor Secretary Alex Acosta, who approved the controversial plea deal and resigned from the Trump administration in 2019 after Epstein’s rearrest.

Trump’s Recent Involvement

President Donald Trump recently directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to release all relevant grand jury testimony related to Epstein and Maxwell. This came shortly after a Wall Street Journal report claimed Trump had sent Epstein a suggestive birthday letter in 2003, an allegation Trump denies. NBC News has not independently verified the letter.

DOJ’s Legal Stance

In a recent court filing, the DOJ requested more time to determine whether it would also seek to unseal the grand jury exhibits shown in the Maxwell case. The department stated that while some new information exists, most of the grand jury content has already been made public through trial records or witness statements. The DOJ emphasized that the identities of victims and certain witnesses must remain protected.

Maxwell’s Legal Pushback

Ghislaine Maxwell’s legal team filed a motion urging the court not to unseal the grand jury transcripts, citing her ongoing appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Her lawyers argue that revealing sealed materials could jeopardize her legal rights and affect the appeal process. “ Jeffrey Epstein is dead. Ghislaine Maxwell is not,” the filing stated, arguing that public interest in Epstein does not justify overriding grand jury confidentiality protections while her case remains active.