Topline
House Oversight Committee chair rep. James Comer, R-Ky.said Tuesday he rejected an offer to speak with former President Bill Clinton privately about jeffrey Epstein, blasting the family as they have refused to publicly testify on the late disgraced financier ahead of contempt proceedings against Clinton and his wife, former secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
!Former president Bill Clinton, left, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton listen as Vice President Kamala Harris delivers a eulogy for U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson lee, Aug. 1, 2024, in Houston.
AP Photo/LM Otero
Key Facts
* Comer said in a statement the proposal from the clintons was an “untenable offer” that would have involved him traveling to New York to speak only with the former president,not him and Hillary.
* Comer said no official transcript would have been recorded and no other lawmakers coudl have participated, adding the Clintons’ “demands make clear they believe their last name entitles them to special treatment.”
* The Clintons have refused to testify in front of the committee, with their attorney arguing they have no knowledge of Epstein’s alleged schemes and should be able to provide written statements instead of in-person testimony, even as the former president has appeared in several photos released in the Epstein files.
* Comer argued Hillary’s testimony is necessary for the committee’s investigation into Epstein, citing her experience working with the government to counter sex trafficking rings, her personal knowledge of Epstein associate Ghislaine maxwell and her family’s relationship with Epstein.
* the Clintons have not been formally accused of wrongdoing in connection to Epstein.
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What To Watch For
The contempt vote will be held Wednesday, though the clintons have maintained they have done nothing wrong and have cooperated with investigations.
