The Clintons thought their last name would shield them from consequences.
Last week’s vote proved they were wrong – and the people who turned on them make it even more shocking.
House Republicans advanced criminal contempt charges against Bill and Hillary Clinton for dodging Epstein investigation subpoenas – with help from the far-left Squad.
Squad Democrats Voted For Criminal Contempt Of Congress Charges
Nine Democrats joined Republicans to advance Bill Clinton's contempt resolution in a 34-8 vote.
Three Democrats voted to advance Hillary Clinton's resolution in a 28-15 vote.
Summer Lee and Rashida Tlaib – two of the most progressive Democrats in Congress – voted to hold both Clintons in contempt.
Ayanna Pressley joined them on Bill Clinton's resolution.
That's the Squad, the same group that spent years defending every Democrat from accountability, now voting to send two of their party's biggest names toward possible prison time.
These aren't symbolic votes.
They're the first step toward criminal prosecution that could result in up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine for each Clinton.
The full House will vote in February, and Speaker Mike Johnson already told reporters he supports holding the Clintons in contempt.
Clintons Refused House Oversight Committee Subpoenas For Months
Chairman James Comer subpoenaed the Clintons last August as part of the committee's Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
Bill Clinton's deposition was originally scheduled for October 14, 2025.
He claimed he needed flexibility, so they rescheduled to December 17.
He refused that date too, citing a funeral.
The committee offered January dates.
He refused every single one.
Hillary Clinton pulled the same routine – originally subpoenaed for October 9, then dodging the rescheduled January 13 date.
Their lawyers called the subpoenas "invalid and legally unenforceable," claiming they lacked legislative purpose.
Instead of showing up like everyone else, the Clintons made Comer an offer – he could fly to New York for a private chat with Bill Clinton, no other committee members present, no official transcript, only two staff members each.
Comer called it "insulting" and rejected it immediately.
"The Clintons' latest demands make clear they believe their last name entitles them to special treatment," he said.
That's exactly what this is about.
The Clintons genuinely believe the rules that applied to Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro don't apply to them.
Both Trump allies served four months in federal prison for defying January 6 committee subpoenas under Biden.
Trump's former advisers went to jail for contempt.
The Clintons think they won't.
Democrats Split Over Jeffrey Epstein Investigation Transparency
The Squad members who voted for contempt aren't defending the Clintons – they're demanding transparency in the Epstein case.
Summer Lee, Rashida Tlaib, and Ayanna Pressley joined six other Democrats in sending a message that even former presidents aren't above the law when it comes to the worst predator in modern American history.
Maxwell Frost, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Stephen Lynch, Emily Randall, Lateefah Simon, and Melanie Stansbury completed the list of Democrats who voted to hold Bill Clinton in contempt.
The Democrats who opposed contempt spent the hearing claiming Republicans are pursuing "political retribution" on Trump's behalf.
Rep. Emily Randall said she wouldn't defend the Clintons but framed the vote as "an extension of Trump's political objectives" – even though she voted for contempt anyway.
Rep. Dave Min went further, calling it a "political witch hunt against Trump's critics."
But even Min admitted the Clintons should have complied.
"No one should be above the law, including presidents and former presidents, and congressional subpoenas are an important part of that rule of law," Min said.
"I think the Clintons should be here. I think it's very shameful that they're not."
That's a Democrat saying it – not some Republican attack line.
Bill Clinton's Epstein Files Connection Revealed In DOJ Documents
Recent Justice Department disclosures under the Epstein Files Transparency Act revealed new images and details of Bill Clinton's relationship with Epstein.
None of them prove wrongdoing on their own.
But they raise questions Republicans want answered under oath – questions about what Clinton knew, when he knew it, and why he stayed close to Epstein for years after credible accusations emerged.
Comer says the Clintons' testimony is "critical to understanding Epstein's sex trafficking network and the ways he sought to curry favor and influence to shield himself from scrutiny."
The committee already accommodated four former attorneys general who submitted written statements saying they had no relevant information about Epstein.
Eric Holder, Loretta Lynch, Jeff Sessions, and Merrick Garland all avoided depositions with simple written responses.
None of them went to the parties.
None of them flew on the plane.
None of them appear in the photographs that just got released.
Bill Clinton does – and that's why his written statement isn't good enough.
The Clintons weren't the only people subpoenaed.
The committee issued subpoenas to ten individuals total.
They're the only two facing contempt charges because they're the only two who completely refused to show up.
House Vote On Contempt Charges Expected In February
If the House votes yes, the resolutions go to the Department of Justice for possible criminal prosecution.
Whether DOJ prosecutes is up to them.
They prosecuted Bannon and Navarro under Biden – two Trump allies who defied Democrat subpoenas.
Now we'll see if they prosecute two Democrats who defied Republican subpoenas under Trump.
The Clintons' lawyers are already claiming this is "literally designed to result in our imprisonment."
Maybe it is – because Bannon and Navarro's contempt charges were literally designed to result in their imprisonment, and Democrats cheered it.
Rep. Jim Jordan says the contempt effort will ensure future compliance with congressional investigations.
"In order for Congress to do investigations, Congress has got to be able to bring people in to ask them questions and get answers so that they can do the work to fulfill our oversight function," Jordan said.
The Squad just proved some Democrats agree with him.
Sources:
- Elizabeth Elkind and Leo Briceno, "'Squad' Dems join GOP to advance contempt resolutions against Clintons in Epstein probe," Fox News, January 21, 2026.
- James Comer, "Chairman Comer: Clintons Must be Held Accountable for Refusing to Comply with Duly Issued Bipartisan Subpoenas," House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, January 21, 2026.
- James Comer, "Oversight Committee Republicans and Democrats Hold Bill and Hillary Clinton in Contempt for Defying Lawful Subpoenas," House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, January 21, 2026.
- Claudia Grisales, "House Oversight panel votes to hold Bill and Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress," NPR, January 21, 2026.
- Ryan J. Reilly and Dareh Gregorian, "Steve Bannon released from prison after serving contempt of Congress sentence," NBC News, October 29, 2024.
