By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The House Oversight Committee has issued subpoenas to Bill and Hillary Clinton, as well as several former officials including James Comey, Merrick Garland, and William Barr, seeking information related to Jeffrey Epstein. Chairman James Comer also demanded the “full, complete, unredacted Epstein Files” from the Department of Justice. Notably, the committee’s demands did not extend to former President Donald Trump, despite his known association with Epstein. The subpoenas come after a subcommittee voted to subpoena the DOJ for the Epstein files last month, and the committee has requested the Clintons appear for depositions in October 2025.
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Republicans are taking a very specific approach to the Epstein investigation, and it’s pretty hard to miss. The strategy seems to be to subpoena everyone and anyone who might have had even the slightest connection to Epstein, except for the one person who arguably had the closest ties: Donald Trump. It’s a move that raises eyebrows, to say the least, and it really forces you to wonder what’s really going on.
The obvious question, and what’s sure to be a major theme in all the testimonies, is how often Epstein bragged about his relationship with Trump. This seems to be a classic political play, a dog-and-pony show, meant to give the appearance of action, of uncovering the truth, while carefully avoiding the central figure they’re ostensibly investigating. It’s the kind of strategy that seems tailor-made for these… well, let’s just call them interesting times.
The theory seems to be that by putting on this show, Republicans can tell their base they are actively seeking justice and uncovering the truth. They can subpoena a bunch of people, some of whom may be innocent, and force the Democrats to either defend these people or appear complicit in covering up a massive crime. The hope is that the Democrats get painted as the protectors of pedophiles. It’s a risky game of political theater, to be sure.
There’s already talk about how this will backfire. The release of the original investigation’s results might have been a more straightforward approach. But it appears Trump wants this silenced for a reason, and this approach is bound to put Trump’s name front and center. It feels like every Democrat’s question will revolve around whether or not Trump was present at events, and given the already low opinion many people have of Trump, this seems like a really bold move.
The strategy doesn’t seem to be a secret either, as Trump himself has said some pretty incriminating things about his relationship with Epstein. He’s even on record saying he’d declassify the Epstein files, but then seems to waver, adding a layer of confusion to the situation. He’s essentially saying he might release them, but maybe not, because it could affect people’s lives, hinting at “phony stuff” in there. It’s a classic display of dodging and weaving.
It’s also important to remember that Trump made statements in 2002 that were clearly designed to bolster his relationship with Epstein, calling him a “terrific guy” and someone who “likes beautiful women as much as I do.” This is coming from a man who has, in his past, stated that he could shoot someone in the middle of Fifth Avenue and not lose any voters. It’s pretty clear why Trump’s name is being omitted from the subpoena list.
The Republicans, however, are still looking to use this to their advantage. They’ve issued a subpoena for the Department of Justice, requesting the full Epstein files, and it’s easy to imagine a scenario where only Republicans get to see the information. The potential for selective leaks and a carefully curated narrative is certainly there.
This whole situation is a perfect example of political gamesmanship, using the tragedy of Epstein’s crimes as a way to score political points. The fact that Trump isn’t on the list only draws more attention to him and his role, with many wondering why he’s the only one not cooperating. The goal seems to be to run out the clock, to delay and distract until it’s no longer politically damaging.
It’s easy to see how this could play out in the testimonies. Every Democrat who appears should be expected to put on record that they recall Trump being present. And if anyone actually appears and testifies, the hope is that they’ll raise hell about Trump’s involvement. It’s a high-stakes game, and the details of the situation are not lost on the public.