BREAKING NEWS:House GOP Moves to Hold Hillary Clinton in Contempt After Skipped Deposition.

January 15, 2026 — Washington, D.C.

In a significant escalation of a months-long congressional investigation,House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer announced plans to move forward with contempt of Congress proceedings against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton after she failed to appear for a scheduled deposition in the committee’s probe into the crimes of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Her absence comes just a day after Comer said he would pursue the same action against her husband, former President Bill Clinton, who also declined to testify.

The Oversight Committee, led by Republican Comer, issued subpoenas last year for both Clinton to provide testimony behind closed doors regarding their ties, communications, and interactions connected to Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

Both former officials declined to appear, prompting Comer to warn that defiance of lawful subpoenas would have consequences.

At the Capitol on Wednesday, Comer told reporters that Hillary Clinton’s no-show would trigger the committee’s move to hold her in criminal contempt of Congress a misdemeanor that can carry penalties including fines and possible jail time if later prosecuted.

A Broader Legal and Political Fight.

The contempt push is the latest chapter in a deepening clash between House Republicans and the Clinton over the scope and purpose of the Epstein investigation. Republican lawmakers say that the Clinton’s extensive past interactions with Epstein, including documented travel on his private jet and social appearances, make their testimony relevant to understanding systematic failures and accountability.

They have emphasized that other high-profile figures subpoenaed in the broader probe including former Attorney General Bill Barr and ex-Labor Secretary Alex Acosta have complied with in-person depositions.

Hillary Clinton’s attorneys argued that the subpoenas were invalid and unenforceable, characterizing them as politically motivated and lacking proper legislative purpose.

They offered written statements in lieu of live testimony, asserting that they have already provided all relevant information and that in-person appearances are unnecessary.

House Democrats have expressed concern about the approach, with some saying the contempt proceedings risk inflaming partisan tensions and distracting from broader oversight objectives.

Nonetheless, Comer has insisted the committee move ahead, underscoring his view that compliance with congressional subpoenas is fundamental to the rule of law.

Next Steps.

The committee is scheduled to mark up resolutions recommending contempt findings for both Hillary and Bill Clinton, which would then go to a full House vote.

If the House approves, the matter could be referred to the Department of Justice for potential prosecution.

The move does not imply that either former official has been charged with a crime — only that they defied a congressional subpoena.

This confrontation is unfolding amid ongoing debate over congressional authority, executive branch transparency, and political divisions that continue to shape investigations touching on high-profile public figures.