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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/41576361

Bill and Hillary Clinton announced they would not comply with a subpoena demanding congressional testimony about their relationships to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, while launching an extraordinary attack on Republicans and Donald Trump.

The Republican-led House oversight committee in August subpoenaed the former president and first lady after its chair, James Comer, announced the panel would review the government’s handling of Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died by what was determined to be suicide while awaiting trial in 2019.

In a letter to Comer dated Monday, attorneys for the Clintons called the subpoenas “invalid and legally unenforceable, untethered to a valid legislative purpose, unwarranted because they do not seek pertinent information, and an unprecedented infringement on the separation of powers”.

The demand for testimony “runs afoul of the clearly defined limitations on Congress’ investigative power propounded by the Supreme Court of the United States”, they wrote, adding that “it is clear the subpoenas themselves – and any subsequent attempt to enforce them – are nothing more than a ploy to attempt to embarrass political rivals, as President Trump has directed”.

Bill Clinton’s subpoena commanded him to appear for testimony by Tuesday, and Hillary Clinton by Wednesday. After the former president did not show up, Comer told reporters at the Capitol that he would move to hold him in contempt next week.