Congressional panel seeks Epstein-related documents and invites Clintons for testimony
The House Oversight Committee, currently led by Republicans, is delving into the Jeffrey Epstein affair, summoning numerous high-ranking former officials and entities to testify and release documents. The investigation aims to uncover government roles, potential institutional failures, and oversight in the Epstein case.
The committee has issued deposition subpoenas to a host of prominent individuals, including Bill and Hillary Clinton, former U.S. Attorneys General Eric Holder, Loretta Lynch, Merrick Garland, Alberto Gonzales, Jeff Sessions, William Barr, Robert Mueller, and former FBI Director James Comey [1]. The U.S. Department of Justice has also been subpoenaed for all related Epstein files and records, including communications involving the current Biden administration [1][4][5].
These subpoenas were approved by the Federal Law Enforcement Subcommittee on July 23, 2025, with bipartisan support [1]. As of early August 2025, the subpoenas have been formally issued, and the committee is actively seeking testimony and records to understand the extent of government knowledge, handling, and potential cover-up related to Epstein’s crimes [1][2][4].
Some House Democrats have urged the committee to prioritize survivor testimony in this investigation to ensure victims’ voices are central to the proceedings [3].
In a related development, Hillary Clinton has been subpoenaed to testify on October 9, while Bill Clinton is scheduled to appear on October 14. These are reported to be non-public hearings [6].
The investigation was sparked by the revelation of a birthday album for Jeffrey Epstein's 50th birthday, which reportedly contained a greeting letter from U.S. President Donald Trump [2]. Trump has denied being the author of the letter, while a Clinton spokesperson stated in 2019 that Bill Clinton had not had contact with Epstein for more than a decade and knew nothing about his crimes [7]. The Clinton spokesperson reportedly declined to comment regarding the birthday album and referred to his previous statement [8].
Jeffrey Epstein, a financier, systematically abused minors for many years before his death by suicide at the age of 66 in his prison cell in 2019 [9]. U.S. President Donald Trump had previously promised to open the Epstein files during his campaign but has not done so [10].
Pressure is growing for Trump to release the Epstein documents, even from within his own ranks [11]. Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's longtime associate, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022 for her role in building a ring for the sexual abuse of girls [12].
This ongoing investigation promises to shed light on the roles of powerful individuals and institutions in the Epstein affair, potentially uncovering government failures and oversight lapses.
References:
[1] Wall Street Journal [2] The Wall Street Journal [3] CNN [4] Politico [5] The New York Times [6] The Hill [7] CNN [8] CNN [9] BBC News [10] CNN [11] The New York Times [12] BBC News
The House Oversight Committee, amidst agreements from both Republican and Democratic members, has initiated a probe into the Epstein affair, delving into politics and general-news by summoning numerous high-ranking individuals such as former U.S. Attorneys General and the Clinton family, and entities like the Department of Justice for investigation records [1][4][5]. The investigation also focuses on crime-and-justice aspects, aiming to uncover institutional failures, government roles, and potential cover-ups in the Epstein case.
