Democrats Target Trump for Epstein Ties in Landmark Subpoena Move
By James Morley III
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Congressional Democrats announced plans to subpoena President Donald Trump to testify under oath regarding his ties to Jeffrey Epstein if they regain control of the House. The move comes as Democrats cite recent Republican actions on oversight tactics as a new precedent demanding similar measures for Trump.
Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., a member of Democratic leadership, stated that Democrats would have Trump “testify under oath” once they hold subpoena authority. “We are absolutely going to have Donald Trump testify under oath,” Lieu said.
Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., a former House majority leader retiring at the end of this Congress, described the prospect as significant. “It is a big deal,” Hoyer noted. “And it’d be interesting to see what former President Trump thinks of that premise.”
Several Democrats directly referenced recent actions by House Oversight Chair James Comer, R-Ky., who last week threatened to hold former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress after they initially declined compliance with Epstein records requests.
Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., a member of the Oversight Committee, affirmed that Democrats would “100%” use the same authority Republicans have asserted. “It does set a precedent, and we will follow it,” Frost stated. “Donald Trump, all of his kids. Everybody.”
Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., chair emeritus of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, warned that Republicans’ current approach could backfire. “This will make Donald Trump happy in the short term, but in the long term, a year from now, we have subpoena power,” Pocan said.
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., who co-authored legislation to release Justice Department documents related to Epstein, urged Trump to face equivalent scrutiny. “The precedent it sets is that Donald Trump better be showing up before Oversight on the Epstein matter,” Khanna added. “I hope Comer will pursue that with the same zeal he’s pursued the Clintons.”
Republicans currently hold the House majority, giving Comer control of the Oversight Committee and its subpoena authority.
