A U.S. House of Representatives panel led by Republicans has recommended former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton be held in contempt of Congress for their refusal to testify regarding their connections to Jeffrey Epstein, a deceased sex offender. The committee accused the Clintons of not cooperating with the House Oversight Committee, claiming that the investigation is politically motivated to protect President Donald Trump.
In a vote, the committee decided to hold Bill Clinton in contempt by a margin of 34-8 and Hillary Clinton by a margin of 28-15, with all 25 Republicans supporting the contempt measures. The House will now vote on whether to refer the cases to the Justice Department for potential prosecution, with a simple majority needed for approval.
Contempt of Congress is a misdemeanor that can result in up to a year in jail and fines of up to $100,000. The resolutions passed by the committee state that the Clintons’ refusal to comply with subpoenas after months of negotiations significantly obstructed the oversight probe and lacked valid legal justification.
Bill Clinton offered to testify under oath at his New York office, as reported by The New York Times, but his offer was rejected by House Oversight Committee chair James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky. Trump has stated that he ended his friendship with Epstein before Epstein’s guilty plea to prostitution charges. Bill Clinton flew on Epstein’s plane multiple times in the early 2000s, post-presidency, expressing regret over the association and claiming ignorance of Epstein’s illegal activities.
In the 2016 presidential election, Trump and Hillary Clinton were fierce opponents, with Trump supporters often chanting “lock her up” at campaign rallies.