Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday formally refused to testify before a Republican-led congressional investigation into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, describing the inquiry as a “partisan exercise.” In a letter addressed to Representative James Comer, chair of the House Oversight Committee, the Clintons framed their decision as a principled stand.
“Every person has to decide when they have seen or had enough and are ready to fight for this country, its principles and its people, no matter the consequences,” the Clintons wrote. “For us, now is that time.” The letter, shared publicly by Hillary Clinton on social media, emphasized that the couple had already provided the limited information they possessed to aid the investigation but criticized the committee for diverting focus from other issues.
The Clintons’ letter directly challenged Comer, suggesting the committee was prioritizing political spectacle over accountability. “We’ve done so because Mr. Epstein’s crimes were horrific. If the Government didn’t do all it could to investigate and prosecute these crimes, for whatever reason, that should be the focus of your work … There is no evidence that you are doing so,” they wrote. The couple accused the committee of pursuing partisan objectives and indicated they expected to be held in contempt of Congress, a move that could potentially lead to criminal charges.
The Epstein investigation has drawn intense public scrutiny due to the financier’s connections to high-profile figures, including the Clintons and former President Donald Trump. The probe has been fueled in part by political pressure on Trump’s administration, which has directed the Justice Department to release files related to criminal investigations of Epstein under a transparency law enacted by Congress.
By refusing to appear, the Clintons are heightening tensions over the scope and purpose of the investigation, signaling a likely confrontation between the former political leaders and the Republican-led committee. The dispute underscores the highly charged atmosphere surrounding ongoing inquiries into Epstein’s criminal activities and the powerful figures linked to him.
