In an escalation of its probe into the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking case, the House Oversight Committee, led by Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), issued subpoenas on Tuesday demanding the Justice Department turn over the “full, complete, unredacted Epstein Files” by August 19 and compelling depositions from former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and eight former Justice Department and FBI officials.
The move, driven by bipartisan support but mired in political tension, seeks to uncover details about the federal government’s handling of Epstein’s case, including his controversial 2008 non-prosecution agreement in Florida. The subpoenas, targeting figures across multiple administrations, signal a renewed push for transparency in a case that has long fueled public speculation and conspiracy theories.
The subpoenas stem from a July 23, 2025, vote by the Oversight Committee’s Federal Law Enforcement Subcommittee, where three Republicans—Reps. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), Scott Perry (R-Pa.), and Brian Jack (R-Ga.)—joined five Democrats, led by Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.), in an 8-2 decision to compel the Justice Department to release Epstein-related files. The committee also subpoenaed Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted associate, for a deposition on August 11, though Chairman Comer has indicated flexibility pending her Supreme Court appeal.
The inclusion of former Presidents Bill Clinton (set for October 14) and Hillary Clinton (October 9), alongside former Attorneys General Merrick Garland, William Barr, Jeff Sessions, Loretta Lynch, Eric Holder, and Alberto Gonzales, and former FBI Directors James Comey and Robert Mueller, reflects the committee’s broad scope. Democrats like Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) hailed the vote as a “victory for government transparency,” while Republicans aim to probe decisions spanning decades, including Epstein’s lenient 2008 plea deal.
The Epstein case has long been a lightning rod, with public interest intensified by his 2019 death in federal custody and Maxwell’s 2021 conviction for sex trafficking. The Oversight Committee’s actions follow the Justice Department’s July 2025 announcement that no further charges or information would be released, citing the absence of a “client list” or blackmail evidence—a claim that sparked backlash from both Trump supporters and some Democrats.
In a letter to Bill Clinton, Comer noted his four documented trips on Epstein’s private plane in 2002 and 2003 and alleged ties to Maxwell, stating, “Given your past relationships with Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell, the Committee believes that you have information regarding their activities that is relevant to the Committee’s investigation.” The letter to Hillary Clinton cites her family’s “close relationship” with Epstein and Maxwell, though critics argue this connection is less substantiated, fueling accusations of political targeting.
The probe has exposed deep divisions within the Republican Party, with House Speaker Mike Johnson resisting calls for action before the August recess, only to see GOP members like Mace and Perry defy leadership. President Donald Trump, who had a 15-year friendship with Epstein until 2004, has faced renewed scrutiny, with the DOJ confirming references to him in the files but no evidence of wrongdoing.
Trump’s directive to Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek grand jury transcripts was rebuffed by a Florida judge in July 2025, complicating efforts to unseal records. Meanwhile, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s meeting with Maxwell in July has drawn attention, though details remain undisclosed. Comer emphasized the need for oversight, writing to Bondi, “While the Department undertakes efforts to uncover and publicly disclose additional information related to Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell’s cases, it is imperative that Congress conduct oversight of the federal government’s enforcement of sex trafficking laws.”
Opposition to the subpoenas is mounting, with legal and practical challenges looming. Enforcing testimony from former presidents is unprecedented, as none have been compelled to testify, though some, like Gerald Ford, have done so voluntarily. Bill Clinton’s spokesperson, Angel Urena, reiterated in 2019 that Clinton “knows nothing about the terrible crimes” Epstein committed, traveled with staff and Secret Service, and never visited Epstein’s island or other properties. Critics, including some Democrats, argue the subpoenas risk politicizing a sensitive investigation, with the inclusion of high-profile Democrats like the Clintons seen as a GOP tactic to deflect from Trump’s ties to Epstein. The American Civil Liberties Union and victims’ advocates have urged protection of victims’ identities, a condition the committee has agreed to honor by redacting names in the files. The DOJ’s response remains guarded, confirming receipt of the subpoena but offering no further comment.
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