Comedian and commentator Jon Stewart has launched a sharp critique against former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for their refusal to testify before a congressional committee investigating the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Stewart also took aim at the U.S. Department of Justice for its slow release of related documents.
Stewart's Blunt Call for Compliance
In a preview clip from his "Weekly Show" podcast, set for full release on Wednesday, Stewart did not mince words. He argued that the Clintons should "abso-fucking-lutely" comply with congressional subpoenas issued by the House Oversight Committee. This demand comes after the Clintons sent a letter to Committee Chair James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, declaring the subpoenas "legally invalid."
The couple also questioned why Comer had excused other subpoena targets from appearing for depositions. In response, the GOP-led panel has threatened former President Clinton with a contempt of Congress charge.
A Contentious Standoff and Lingering Questions
The Clintons' letter to Comer framed the subpoena as a politically motivated distraction. "Despite everything that needs to be done to help our country, you are on the cusp of bringing Congress to a halt to pursue a rarely used process literally designed to result in our imprisonment," they wrote. They vowed to "forcefully defend" themselves.
Bill Clinton's past associations with Epstein, including social meetings and photographs, have drawn scrutiny, similar to former President Donald Trump. Both former presidents have denied any wrongdoing and have not been implicated in Epstein's convicted sex crimes.
Justice Department Under Fire for File Release
Stewart expanded his criticism beyond the Clintons, questioning why the Department of Justice has failed to meet a legally mandated deadline to release all its records connected to Epstein. According to a recent Time magazine report cited by Stewart, fewer than 1% of the DOJ's Epstein files have been made public.
"If they've got something to hide or — yes, we should know about all this. This is bonkers how long this is going on," Stewart said of the prolonged investigation and document secrecy.
Stewart concluded with an impassioned plea for resolution, stating, "But absolutely, they should comply, and the Department of Justice should comply. And these victims of this heinous case should finally get some of the justice and peace that they deserve, for God's sakes." The next episode of his podcast, featuring an interview with Fareed Zakaria, is scheduled for release on Wednesday.
