Congressional Republicans Scrutinize Clintons’ Epstein Testimony Delay After Threat of Contempt

Republican Representative John McGuire of Virginia stated on Tuesday that he remains deeply skeptical about former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s recent agreement to testify before Congress in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

McGuire noted that the Clintons agreed late Monday to appear in depositions following threats of contempt of Congress, a move that could have resulted in fines or even imprisonment if they had refused compliance with subpoenas.

“It’s unfortunate it took a threat of criminal contempt of Congress — possibility of handcuffs — for them to finally agree to come in,” McGuire said. “For the last six months, they’ve dodged and weaved and come up with every excuse. So I’ve got to tell you, I’m skeptical.”

The remarks follow mounting Republican frustration over the Clintons’ delay in complying with subpoenas first issued in August 2025 as part of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee’s probe into Epstein’s network and alleged ties to influential figures.

A spokesperson for the Clintons, Angel Urena, responded to Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer by stating: “They negotiated in good faith. You did not.” Urena added that “they told you under oath what they know, but you don’t care.”

McGuire criticized Bill Clinton’s past downplaying of his relationship with Epstein, citing records showing the former president brought Epstein to his White House 17 times and flew on the Lolita Express aircraft 26 times.

“No one is above the law,” McGuire said. “Bill Clinton said, ‘I don’t know the man,’ but records that were released show that he brought Epstein to his White House 17 times, and he flew on the Lolita Express aircraft 26 times. And that’s not not knowing the man. That’s a VIP pass to Epstein Island.”

McGuire also highlighted concerns about how Epstein — a convicted sex offender who died in a New York jail cell in 2019 — infiltrated high levels of U.S. government, suggesting the testimony could reveal how such networks operate and potentially inform anti-human trafficking legislation.

“One of the things I want to know is how this top predator — this guy who terrorized these victims — how did he infiltrate the highest levels of the U.S. government?” McGuire asked. “Maybe we can learn some things from the testimony about how to prevent or strengthen anti-human trafficking legislation.”

Despite the Clintons’ eventual agreement, McGuire expressed skepticism that they would answer tough questions during their deposition. “I think the Clintons think they are above the law, and they want special treatment,” he said. “I still am skeptical, and I’ll believe it when I see it that they will show up.”

The developments mark a rare constitutional showdown over compelling testimony from a former president and secretary of state, drawing both bipartisan support and criticism.