The House Oversight Committee has issued subpoenas to some of the most powerful political figures of the past 30 years. The list includes Bill and Hillary Clinton, James Comey, Robert Mueller, and several former U.S. attorneys general.
The move is part of an expanding investigation into the federal government’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking case. Chairman James Comer (R-KY) announced the subpoenas on Tuesday.
Comer framed the action as a step toward transparency and accountability. “The American people deserve answers,” he said. He described Epstein’s crimes as “horrific” and said there were major failures in prosecution.
The subpoenas demand testimony from figures such as former Attorney General William Barr on August 18. Others include FBI Director James Comey on October 7 and Attorney General Merrick Garland on October 2. Former President Bill Clinton is scheduled for October 14, and Hillary Clinton will testify on October 9.
The committee’s action follows a bipartisan vote by the Federal Law Enforcement Subcommittee on July 23. An amendment from Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA) expanded the scope of the Department of Justice subpoena.
The committee is demanding all DOJ records related to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking minors.
In a separate motion introduced by Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), the panel approved a directive by voice vote. It compels testimony from the Clintons, Comey, Garland, Mueller, and other top officials.
The investigation is aimed at exposing possible government failures. This includes mishandled plea deals and non-prosecution agreements that may have protected powerful individuals.
Rep. Comer released a letter to Bill Clinton outlining the reasons for the subpoena. “By your own admission, you flew on Jeffrey Epstein’s private plane four separate times in 2002 and 2003,” the letter reads. “During one of these trips, you were even pictured receiving a ‘massage’ from one of Mr. Epstein’s victims.”
Comer also cited reports that Clinton tried to pressure Vanity Fair not to publish sex trafficking allegations. He said there are also conflicting accounts about whether Clinton visited Epstein’s private island. The letter added that Clinton was allegedly close to Ghislaine Maxwell and attended an intimate dinner with her in 2014. That dinner took place three years after public reports about her involvement in Epstein’s abuse of minors.
Hillary Clinton’s connection is also under review. Comer’s letter noted that Maxwell’s nephew worked for Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign. He was later hired by the State Department during her tenure as Secretary of State.
The investigation has gained momentum as pressure builds on the DOJ and Biden administration. Lawmakers are demanding that Epstein-related documents be declassified, including the rumored “client list” and more details on Epstein’s 2019 death.
According to Breitbart, the DOJ has already filed a motion to unseal grand jury transcripts in the Southern District of New York. The court must still approve the release.
Testimony from Ghislaine Maxwell was originally set for August 11. However, it has been postponed pending a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court on her appeal.
Former President Donald Trump criticized media coverage of the issue. “You ought to be speaking about Bill Clinton, who went to the island 28 times,” Trump told reporters. “I never went to the island.”
Comer said the investigation’s goal is to inform legislation that improves the fight against sex trafficking. He also wants to reform how non-prosecution and plea agreements are used in sex crime cases.
Whether the inquiry results in criminal charges or legal reforms remains to be seen. But for now, the Clintons and a long list of former officials are officially on the record.