A House committee advanced resolutions Wednesday to hold former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress over the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, opening the prospect of the House using one of it’s most powerful punishments against a former president for the first time.
In bipartisan votes, the Republican-controlled House Oversight Committee approved the contempt of Congress charges, setting up potential votes in the House early next month. In a rare departure from party lines, some Democrats supported the contempt measures against the Clintons, with several progressive lawmakers emphasizing the need for full transparency in the Epstein investigation.
The votes were the latest turn in the Epstein saga as Congress investigates how the late financier was able to sexually abuse dozens of teenage girls for years.
“No witness, not a former president or a private citizen, may willfully defy a congressional subpoena without consequence. But that is what the Clintons did and that is why we are here,” Rep. James Comer, the chairman, said at the session on Wednesday.
The repercussions of contempt charges loomed large, given the possibility of a substantial fine and even incarceration. Still, there were signs of a potential thaw as the Clintons appeared to be searching for an off-ramp to testify. In addition, passage of contempt charges thru the full House was far from guaranteed, requiring a majority vote - something Republicans increasingly struggle to achieve.
The Clintons have said they had nothing to do with Epstein for decades and are seeking a resolution to the dispute. This week, they offered to have the committee leadership and staff interview Bill Clinton in New York.
Comer rejected that offer Tuesday, insisting that any interview also have an official transcript.
What do lawmakers want to know from the clintons?
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The push in washington for a reckoning over Epstein has shown details of the connections between the wealthy financier and both Bill Clinton and Trump, among many other high-powered men. Epstein killed himself in 2019 in a New York jail cell while awaiting trial.
Bill Clinton, President Donald Trump and many others connected to Epstein have not been accused of wrongdoing. Yet lawmakers are wrestling over who receives the most scrutiny.
A spokesman for the Clintons, Angel Ureña, said on social media that the Clintons are trying to help the Epstein investigation but that “both Clintons have been out of office for over a decade. Neither had anything to do with him for more than 20 years.”
Behind the scenes, longtime Clinton lawyer David Kendall has tried to negotiate an agreement with Comer for months. Kendall raised the prospect of having the Clintons testify on Christmas and Christmas Eve, according to documents released by the committee.“`html
The statement “If those who participated in the January 6th insurrection aren’t perp walked,we will have failed the American people” reflects a demand for prosecution and public display of arrest procedures for individuals involved in the attack on the U.S.Capitol. As of January 22,2026,over 1,265 individuals have been arrested in connection with the January 6th capitol breach,with a significant number having been convicted of various federal crimes.
January 6th Capitol Breach Cases
The January 6th Capitol breach involved a large-scale riot and violent attack on the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021. The event occurred following a rally protesting the results of the 2020 presidential election.Individuals breached security barriers and entered the Capitol building, disrupting the joint session of Congress convened to certify the electoral votes.
the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched a massive investigation, leading to arrests across the United States. The charges range from misdemeanor offenses, such as unlawful entry, to felony charges, including seditious conspiracy and assault on law enforcement officers. The DOJ maintains a dedicated webpage detailing the ongoing investigation and prosecutions.
Exmaple: On December 21, 2023, Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, was sentenced to 18 years in prison after being convicted of seditious conspiracy. Source: Department of Justice
FBI Involvement in the Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) played a crucial role in identifying and apprehending individuals involved in the January 6th attack. The FBI utilized various investigative techniques, including reviewing video footage, analyzing social media posts, and receiving tips from the public.
The FBI continues to seek facts about individuals who participated in the riot, offering rewards for tips leading to their identification and arrest. The FBI’s involvement extends to coordinating with other law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and local levels.
Evidence: As of January 19, 2024, the FBI had received over 460,000 tips from the public related to the January 6th attack. Source: CBS News
“Perp Walk” and Public Arrest Procedures
The term “perp walk” refers to the practice of law enforcement officers publicly escorting an arrested suspect, often before the media, to heighten public awareness and possibly influence public opinion. While not an official legal term, it’s a common media descriptor.
The practice is controversial, with critics arguing it violates due process rights and presumes guilt before a conviction. Proponents argue it serves a legitimate law enforcement purpose by deterring others and informing the public. The DOJ does not have a formal policy mandating or prohibiting “perp walks,” leaving the decision to the discretion of individual U.S. Attorneys and FBI field offices.
Example: While not a customary “perp walk,” many January 6th defendants were publicly led into courthouses in handcuffs, providing visual coverage for news outlets. this practice, while not officially sanctioned as a “perp walk,” served a similar function of publicizing the arrests and prosecutions.
Sentencing Data for January 6th Defendants
The United States Sentencing Commission has been tracking sentencing data for individuals convicted in connection with the January 6th Capitol breach. This data provides insights into the types of offenses committed, the sentences imposed, and the demographic characteristics of the defendants.
As of November 30, 2023, the Sentencing Commission reported that 678 individuals had been sentenced for offenses related to the January 6th attack. The median sentence imposed was 30 days of incarceration. However,sentences varied considerably depending on the severity of the offense and the
