Republican Oversight Committee Chair James Comer has threatened to begin contempt of Congress proceedings against former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton after they declined to give in-person depositions for the committee’s Jeffrey Epstein inquiry. The Clintons were subpoenaed in August; their lawyer, David Kendall, says they have repeatedly offered sworn written statements and have met with committee staff, but Comer has insisted on live testimony and set December 17-18 as a deadline or early January as an alternative. Comer has excused several other high-profile figures — including five former attorneys general and ex-FBI directors James Comey and Robert Mueller — who provided written statements or were excused; only former Attorney General William Barr has testified in person. Kendall has accused Comer of conducting a “weaponized” partisan investigation aimed at diverting attention from President Donald Trump’s own ties to Epstein. The clash comes as Congress and the Department of Justice move to release large batches of Epstein-related records later this week, and Comer signals a referral to DOJ if contempt is pursued. Criminal contempt can carry up to a year in prison and fines.