This week, the House Oversight Committee has made some big moves in its quest to get to the bottom of the Epstein files.
Ghislaine Maxwell’s testimony has been pushed back, as panel chair James Comer (R-KY) has decided to bring in a few other big names.
Two of the names on that list are those of Bill and Hillary Clinton, and that is just the tip of the iceberg.
Maxwell, for those of you who are unfamiliar with the name, was allegedly Epstein’s confidante and recruiter, subsequently convicted for her role in the billionaire's pedophile ring and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
When the Trump administration announced that there was no client list set for release, Maxwell’s attorneys moved to have her charges dismissed, citing a deal Epstein made with prosecutors in Florida.
Comer had also subpoenaed Maxwell to testify before Congress, and she seemed to jump at the opportunity.
Soon after that announcement was made, it was revealed that Maxwell was moved to a much nicer prispon facility in Texas, with the presumption being that she was being given more posh digs to elicit her cooperation at the hearing.
Last week, the House denied a request by Maxwell’s attorneys to grant her immunity for her testimony, which sent the wheels turning.
Her legal team then asked Comer to delay her testimony to Congress until her motion could be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Comer agreed, stating, “On July 30, the U.S. Supreme Court noticed that your petition for writ of certiorari will be considered at its conference on September 29."
He continued, “In light of this notice, the Committee is willing to delay your deposition until a date following the Court’s certiorari determination.”
Comer is done playing games, having just issued a subpoena to Bill and Hillary Clinton, and they are far from alone in being called to testify.
Other officials set to be served are former FBI Directors James Comey and Robert Mueller, as well as ex-Attorneys General Loretta Lynch, Eric Holder, William Barr, Jeff Sessions, and Alberto Gonzales.
The panel has also served Trump’s Department of Justice, giving officials until Aug. 19 to turn over all records related to the inquiry. Hillary and Bill Clinton are scheduled to appear on Oct. 9 and 14, respectively, but I would expect some legal maneuvering to take place on all accounts.
This is going to make for some great TV, but I am also very interested to see how Trump reacts to Comer demanding the files from his DOJ, especially since Trump is now in an unrelated feud with Sen. Chuck Grassley over judicial nomination blue slips. I think it worth asking whether Trump is losing his grip on power within the party.
