The House Oversight Committee has intensified its investigation into the federal government's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, issuing a wave of subpoenas and requesting extensive documentation from various government agencies and former officials.
Chairman James Comer emphasized the crucial role of congressional oversight in enforcing sex trafficking laws and managing the Epstein investigation. Subpoenas have been issued to prominent figures including former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The committee has also requested testimony or documents from former FBI Directors James Comey and Robert Mueller, and former Attorneys General Merrick Garland, William Barr, Jeff Sessions, Loretta Lynch, Eric Holder, and Alberto Gonzales, spanning multiple administrations. Notably, the subpoena for former FBI Director Robert Mueller was rescinded due to his health concerns.
The Treasury Department has been asked to provide Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, which are critical for tracking financial activities potentially linked to illicit operations. The Department of Justice has committed to releasing documents concerning the Epstein investigation, and an initial batch has already been provided to the committee.
Further deepening the inquiry, a subpoena was issued to Epstein's estate for financial records and contact information, including a reported "birthday book" compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell. Alexander Acosta, former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida and ex-Secretary of Labor, is scheduled for a transcribed interview with the committee on September 19, 2025. The committee is also engaging with survivors of Epstein's abuse to incorporate their perspectives.
The committee's scope extends to a broader review of potential mismanagement within federal agencies, the circumstances surrounding Epstein's death, the operations of sex-trafficking rings, and any potential ethical breaches by elected officials. This comprehensive approach aims to identify systemic issues and inform legislative solutions to strengthen federal efforts against sex trafficking and refine the use of plea agreements in sex crime cases.