The subpoenas aim to probe the federal government’s handling of sex trafficking laws and whether powerful individuals implicated in the Epstein network received preferential treatment, according to AP.
The news outlet added:
The committee’s actions showed how even with lawmakers away from Washington on a monthlong break, interest in the Epstein files is still running high.
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Rep. James Comer, the Republican chairman of the oversight committee, noted in letters to Attorney General Pam Bondi and the former officials that the cases of Epstein and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell “have received immense public interest and scrutiny.”
“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,” Comer said.
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The subpoenas give the Justice Department until Aug. 19 to hand over the requested records, though such records requests are typically open to negotiation. The committee is also asking the former officials to appear for the depositions throughout August, September and October, concluding with Hillary Clinton on Oct. 9 and Bill Clinton on Oct. 14.
More from the press release:
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) today issued deposition subpoenas to Bill and Hillary Clinton, James Comey, Loretta Lynch, Eric Holder, Merrick Garland, Robert Mueller, William Barr, Jeff Sessions, and Alberto Gonzales for testimony related to horrific crimes perpetrated by Jeffrey Epstein. Additionally, Chairman Comer issued a subpoena to the U.S. Department of Justice for records related to Epstein. These subpoenas follow recent action by an Oversight Subcommittee, which approved motions to subpoena these records and compel witness testimony.
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The Subcommittee also approved an amended motion offered by Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.) by a vote of 8-2 to direct the Chairman to subpoena the Department of Justice to release records related to the Epstein case. Rep. Andy Biggs’ (R-Ariz.) amendment to include the release of all communications between President Biden and/or Biden Administration officials and the Department of Justice related to Jeffrey Epstein was adopted by voice vote. Rep. Nancy Mace’s (R-S.C.) amendment to include redacting the names of victims and any personally identifiable information of victims, and any possible Child Sexual Abuse Material was adopted by voice vote.
The subpoena to the Department of Justice can be found here. The subpoena cover letters can be found here.
* Original Article:
