The House Oversight Committee’s investigation into the federal government’s handling of the criminal cases involving Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell has hit a procedural setback after Bill and Hillary Clinton postponed their scheduled depositions. Subpoenaed in early August, Hillary Clinton was expected to testify last week, followed by Bill Clinton this week, but neither appeared. Committee officials say they are negotiating new dates with the Clintons’ attorney. The delay underscores the difficulty of securing testimony from former high-profile officials in inquiries that intersect with politically sensitive historical events.

Chairman James Comer issued the subpoenas as part of a broader effort to reassess how the Justice Department managed Epstein’s cases over several decades. Comer has argued that federal authorities may have overlooked crucial evidence or failed to pursue individuals within Epstein’s circle. These concerns intensified after Epstein’s 2019 arrest on sex-trafficking charges and his death in custody, followed by Maxwell’s 2021 conviction. The committee seeks to determine whether systemic failures, political considerations, or institutional hesitations contributed to the government’s inability to hold Epstein accountable earlier.

Bill Clinton’s past interactions with Epstein remain a point of public interest. Visitor records show Epstein visited the Clinton White House several times, and Clinton has acknowledged taking a number of flights on Epstein’s private jet in connection with charitable work. He has consistently denied visiting Epstein’s private island or being aware of any criminal conduct. Ghislaine Maxwell has also publicly commented on these relationships, claiming that Clinton was her friend rather than Epstein’s and reiterating that he never visited the island. These statements are expected to surface again during the postponed depositions.

The committee emphasizes that the Clintons are not accused of crimes, but their testimonies are intended to clarify the nature and extent of their interactions with Epstein and Maxwell. Lawmakers argue that transparency is essential to understanding how Epstein maintained influence and avoided accountability for so long. With further subpoenas expected and many questions still unanswered, the investigation is poised to deepen as Congress seeks to identify failures in federal oversight and prevent similar mistakes in the future.