House Republicans issued a sweeping round of subpoenas Tuesday targeting a list of high-ranking former officials, including former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and multiple former attorneys general and FBI directors, as part of an intensifying investigation into the federal government's handling of Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking case.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R., Ky.) ordered deposition subpoenas for 11 individuals and demanded related documents from the Department of Justice. Among those named are former Attorneys General Merrick Garland, William Barr, Jeff Sessions, Alberto Gonzales, Eric Holder, and Loretta Lynch, as well as former FBI Directors James Comey and Robert Mueller.
The committee's move follows bipartisan approval by the Federal Law Enforcement Subcommittee on July 23 to authorize subpoenas for testimony and records. Republicans and Democrats approved the motion offered by Rep. Scott Perry (R., Pa.) by voice vote.
Comer said the inquiry is focused on federal enforcement of sex trafficking laws and potential legislative reforms, noting, "While the Department undertakes efforts to uncover and publicly disclose additional information related to Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell's cases, it is imperative that Congress conduct oversight of the federal government's enforcement of sex trafficking laws generally and specifically its handling of the investigation and prosecution of Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell."
The subpoenas come just weeks after the Department of Justice confirmed it had conducted an interview with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's longtime associate who is serving a 20-year sentence for sexually abusing minors.
The House Oversight Committee also issued a subpoena to Attorney General Pam Bondi for DOJ records on Epstein and Maxwell. The records must be turned over by August 19. Depositions for the subpoenaed individuals are scheduled from mid-August through October:
- William Barr: August 18
- Alberto Gonzales: August 26
- Jeff Sessions: August 28
- Robert Mueller: September 2
- Loretta Lynch: September 9
- Eric Holder: September 30
- Merrick Garland: October 2
- James Comey: October 7
- Hillary Clinton: October 9
- Bill Clinton: October 14
An amendment from Rep. Andy Biggs (R., Ariz.) included in the subpoena request compels the DOJ to provide all communications between President Biden, his administration officials, and the DOJ regarding Epstein. An additional amendment, introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace (R., S.C.), mandates redaction of victims' names and personally identifiable information.
Epstein, a financier with a history of political connections, was charged with federal sex trafficking offenses in 2019 and died in jail awaiting trial. A prior federal investigation in the 2000s ended in a controversial non-prosecution agreement. The DOJ and FBI recently released a memo stating Epstein died by suicide and that no credible evidence exists of a blackmail scheme or a "client list."
