Republicans cooked their own goose with the Clintons testifying

[bigtree]

Kyle Griffin @kylegriffin1 14m
Democrats now say Republicans have established a precedent when it comes to Congress' ability to subpoena and haul in past presidents and family members under threat of criminal charges — thanks to how Republicans threatened the Clintons — and they plan to use it against Trump.

"We are absolutely going to have Donald Trump testify under oath."


After Republicans push Clintons to testify on Epstein, Democrats warn they'll haul in Trump
Democrats say Republicans have set a precedent with subpoenas of an ex-president and first lady. "We will follow it ... Donald Trump, all of his kids. Everybody," Rep. Maxwell Frost said.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/republicans-push-clintons-testify-epstein-democrats-warn-haul-trump-rcna257275

[H2O Man]

1. Recommended.

I think the Clintons played the republicans on this. I've long believed that one should always be mighty careful who they pick a fight with. The republicans have made a serious error here, and will pay a price.

[MagickMuffin]

8. Constitutional Law isn't their strong suit, but it is ours

Comer a farmer. He is ignorant of Constitutional Law. Same thing goes for Jim Jordan.

[FadedMullet]

17. Comer may be the dumbest Repub in Congress, and that's really saying something.

[Jilly_in_VA]

28. Not by far

That dubious honor goes to Tommy Tuberville, the fool "representing" Alabama while living in FloriDUH. Just above him are Ron Johnson and Marsha Blackburn. I leave out Chuck Grassley because he's obviously got dementia. Gym Jordan is right down there too.
Comer may be the dumbest committee chair, I'll give him that anyway.

[returnee]

43. Well, it coulda been...

…Herschel Walker.

[Jilly_in_VA]

59. That's why

Tuberville and Johnson prayed so hard for him to win. It would have moved them up a notch.

[Redleg]

35. Comer is dumb and also willfully ignorant about Trump's blatant wrong-doing

I wish he represented my district in KY so I could vote against him. Instead I have Thomas Massie as my rep.

[Ol Janx Spirit]

60. He's dumb alright, but he's hardly willfully ignorant about the wrongdoing....

He certainly saw it in everything Hunter Biden ever did didn't he?

He knows full well, and he cheers it on.

The dumbest part is in thinking it is okay to cheerlead and provide cover for all of the blatant wrong-doing as if it will not destroy the America that has allowed an idiot like himself to succeed.

Comer Pyle will go down in history as a major player in burning democracy to the ground unless Democrats can thread the needle on winning elections and beating back the ensuing violent insurrections.... It really feels like that is where we stand.

[Redleg]

62. This is what I meant

"The Biden Crime Family" was his concern, not the overt corruption DJT. Likewise he appears concerned about the relationships between the Clintons and Epstein but mute on that between Trump and Epstein.

[Ol Janx Spirit]

63. It is truly amazing how pretty much every Repukelicon has adapted the ability...

...to only look in one direction to see any wrongdoing or even impropriety.

It is astounding that this now extends to sexual assault, falsifying business records, hush-money payments, and an impossible-to-ignore longtime "friendship" with a person running a child-sex ring--in addition to all of the more run-of-the-mill corruption in plain sight.

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"

You'd think these "Christians" would actually take lines like that to heart, but that would require having one....

[iluvtennis]

21. Jim Jordan never passed the bar exam.

Jim Jordan earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) law degree from Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio. While he holds this degree, which he earned in 2001, he never took the bar exam and is not a practicing attorney. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Jordan

=====
The Clintons may be older now, but both are very astute lawyers - the lying MAGAts are no match for them.

[ToxMarz]

30. They can't see past the next 5 minutes

Children often don't understand consequences because their brains are still developing, lacking the mature prefrontal cortex needed for impulse control, long-term planning, and risk assessment. Younger children, especially under age 3, cannot connect past actions to present outcomes, often living in the immediate moment. Furthermore, when children are dysregulated, stressed, or in "survival mode," their brain cannot process logic or lessons, rendering traditional consequences ineffective.

[ananda]

32. I always think Trump as a demented toddler ...

with no impulse control and a mean streak
a mile wide.

[H2O Man]

41. Exactly.

I'll take it a step further -- there is no area of law that they know better than the Clintons. None. They are wasy over their heads. I know that republicans on the committee are in close contact with the DOJ on this and related matters. But the DOJ maga are not in the Clintons' league. They really just aren't.

[The Roux Comes First]

45. Or Plain Ignorant, Actually

[spanone]

39. Don't tell them that Bill was more popular after the kerfuffle

[H2O Man]

40. Right!

Either one of the Clintons is a hundred times smarter than the combined sum of every republican in the House. When I first heard the committee was calling them, I thought it was a terrible mistake on their part. Of course, I find their terrible mistakes to be a very good thing.

[MadameButterfly]

64. Can I presume Bill has immunity or does that only apply

to the Trump presidency?

[H2O Man]

66. He does in

the context of events in his presidency. I am not aware of either of the Clintons having anything to do with Epstein in those years. I could be wrong, but I am under the impression that their marginal contact was limited to getting a donation to the Clinton Foundation to help in Africa.

Likewise, the felon's much, much closer to Epstein relationship came before he took office, and is thus not covered.

I note that the Clintons wanted their testimony to be public. At least it will be recorded. I am 100% convinced that they have some surprises in store for the republicans. First, they are far more intelligent than any republican on the committee. Second, they have the truth on their side, whereas the republicans only have smears and attempts to distract.

[MadameButterfly]

67. Why do I think that somehow Trump's relationship

will be considered part of his presidential duties and the Clintons' won't? I know that is a stretch, but that's what we always say.....

[H2O Man]

68. Of course the

felon will try to pretend they were. But the vast majority of his relationship with Epstein was well before 2016.

[GreenWave]

2. But delay, Tom Delay, kick the can SCROTUS...

[leftstreet]

3. LOCK HER U...no wait!

Jake Sherman
@JakeSherman
18h
"I think it's a shame," Trump says, of the House bringing Bill and Hillary Clinton into testify.

"I always liked him," Trump says of Bill Clinton.

"She's a very capable woman," Trump on Hillary Clinton.

"I hate to see it in many ways," Trump says.

Link to tweet

?s=20



Sure changing his tune
DURec

[travelingthrulife]

33. Tomorrow he will be ranting that Bill and Hillary ran a horrific child torture center.

[SergeStorms]

36. Out of a Mexican restaurant.....

run by "the worst of the worst."

Yeah, Trump's "opinions" depend solely on the last person he talked to.

[UpInArms]

4. Well done

And why is jacketoff jim Jordan even still a congressman?

[calimary]

31. I like that! "Jacketoff Jim Jordan".

It’s deviously perfect!

Is that an “ UpInArms Original”?

[SergeStorms]

37. "Jim Jacketoff".....

has been used for years now. I'm surprised you missed it, calimary. You're pretty plugged-in to DU.

[calimary]

38. Shows you how important I thought he was.

[RandiFan1290]

5. republicons would still refuse to show up

and NOTHING would be done.

Precedent? How naive.

[ScratchCat]

6. I don't think so

James Comer solicited two Republican-leaning law firms who both told him that the courts would not uphold the committees subpoena against the Clintons for multiple reasons.

If a future Democrat-controlled house tries this in 2029 - assuming Donald Trump is even alive then - the courts will just tell the House what they would have told Comer.

Donald Trump will never sit in front of Congress under oath.

[Jilly_in_VA]

29. With any luck whatsoever

A few current sitting justices will either be dead, retired, or better yet, impeached. Looking at YOU, Thomas and Alito!

[LiberalArkie]

57. Why wouldn't Trump appear. He will lie like all his appointees

And nothing will happen to him.

[aeromanKC]

7. And family (I don't think Trump's going to make it to be an ex president)

But the family will!!

[gfarber]

9. Clinton Precedent

There once was a hearing so rough,
Where Congress cried, “Enough is enough!”
“You dragged Bill through the mud,
So we’ll return the good thud—
Now Trump gets the cuffs and the huff.”

The GOP smirked with delight,
Hauling Clintons in late every night.
But the Dems just laughed back,
Said, “You scratched a big crack—
Now it’s our turn to give you a bite.”

Said Frost with a leer and a grin,
“You opened the door—let us in.
If you like it real raw,
With subpoenas and law,
We’ll call Don and the kids and the kin.”

When Epstein got waved like a flag,
The whole damn thing started to sag.
“You wanted the past? Just
Hope you’re ready—because
We’re subpoenaing everything you brag.”

“There’ll be oaths,” said the Dems, “nice and tight,
No wiggle, no dodging, no flight.
You set the damn bed,
Now lie in it,” they said,
“And we’ll watch while you squirm in the light.”

So beware when you threaten with glee,
To drag ghosts in for all eyes to see:
If you tug on that thread,
Soon it’s your ass instead
Getting hauled in by precedent—whee!”

[calimary]

53. Another winner, gfarber!

Bravo!!!

[Bev54]

10. It will never happen, he will either be dead or in a mental facility before he ever

testifies. This is completely empty threat for him but not for his kids, which you will see moving to the UAE when he is out of power. They will be investigated as will those who carried out his orders.

Edit to add: he will likely provide everyone in his admin pardons before he goes either way, if it hasn't already been done.

[C_U_L8R]

11. Not very good chess players

It's doubtful they'd do any better at checkers.
How about a nice game of Go Fish.

[lastlib]

15. Tic-tac-toe is the limit of their mental faculties.....

On a good day, they can count to three without using fingers.

[malaise]

12. Ding ding

Rec

[Grokenstein]

13. king piggy: "I'm not worried..."

"I know how to clear a room."

[mr715]

14. Yup yup yup.

I know President Clinton and Secretary Clinton are going to run circles around Comer et al.

The GOP in Congress have no idea the forces they are meddling with.

For one, Sec. Clinton isn't even in the files, so it is blatantly a "witch hunt" on its face. Additionally, the Clintons are not political aspirants and need to be neutralized. They are, at best, elder statespeople. At worst, they have no influence on electoral politics anymore.

[yorkster]

16. Let us "prey"...go to it Hil and Bill.

[dlk]

18. And how many years has Jim Jordan thumbed his nose at his congressional subpoena?

The hypocrisy is epic.

[GiqueCee]

19. Comer...

... you blithering idiot, it is rumored that there are telephone poles smarter than you. Careful what you wish for, dumbass.

[stage left]

26. Do you suppose his name is really

Gomer.

[GiqueCee]

27. I wouldn't be surprised...

... if it was! He's dumber than a bag of hammers.

[intheflow]

20. Bullshit.

The only way Republicans will ever honor a Congressional subpoenas again is if they are already locked up and forced to comply by the bailiff. The Dems really screwed their own pooch by not hold Gym Jordan in contempt over his J6 subpoenas. Talk about shooting ourselves in the foot!

[progressoid]

22. Exactly. This. n/t

[progressoid]

24. Wait wait wait. So a family of known law breakers is suddenly going to agree to appear from a subpoena that has no teeth

just because the Clintons agreed to it?

On what fucking planet is this going to happen?

[Renew Deal]

25. Republicans are counting on him being 80+

[Kid Berwyn]

34. Don't forget Jared.

He can’t hide in Prince Bonesaw’s sweatpants for ever.

[2naSalit]

42. That being said...

They will likely be regretting it a few minutes in because both of them have, individually, more intellect than the entire republican caucus on a bad day. It will be a two batch popcorn day for sure.

[returnee]

44. Assuming we have fair elections.

About which I have little faith.

[swong19104]

46. ... if

he’s still alive when the Dems take over. But all others, including Gym Jordan, will have to be escorted into the chamber by armed guards if they don’t voluntarily comply.

[3Hotdogs]

47. Problem is - will Anal Fistula even be alive when he is an ex president?

[tinymontgomery]

49. The rest of the trump crime family will be. n/t

[graycampervan]

48. Clinton's Precedent

I hope Bill spills the beans on trump.

[chicoescuela]

50. As much as I tend to agree with this, I don't see tsf ever testifying in Congress. Ever

I hope I’m wrong but he has skated through everything in life.
From pedophile to getting caught on tape talking about grabbing pussy. No one ever in the course of humanity has an individual escaped consequences. Maybe after 80 years it will happen?

[Figarosmom]

51. He 'll be long dead.

But the kids are fsir game.

[ecstatic]

52. Wasn't the precedent already set with Clinton following

the Lewinsky situation?

[oldmanlynn]

54. Democrats are getting played again

There’s no way Republicans will hold up to their word.

[iemanja]

55. Republicans don't care about looking hypocritical

It’s in their DNA.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

56. I fear/hope that trump will not make it to the end of this term

Trump is not well

[augyboston]

58. Kentucky Representative James Comer is...

KY Rep James Comer is a fucking idiot and this proves it!

He and his cohorts on the House Oversight and Accountability committee have opened the door and the Democrats can't wait to pass through it.

What a complete moron!

[AverageOldGuy]

61. And remember:

Trump is both the CURRENT SERVING President as well as being a FORMER President.

So subpoena FORMER President Trump.

[LiberalArkie]

65. I can already hear it. The Democrats issue a subpoena to Trump, Trump says NO. Democrats say ok fine.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

69. MaddowBlog-As Clintons prepare to answer questions about Epstein, Trump balks

Republican Rep. James Comer opened a door that has long been closed. His party might come to regret the decision.

As Clintons prepare to answer questions about Epstein, Trump balks

www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...

— Mike Walker (@newnarrative.bsky.social) 2026-02-05T19:34:10.950Z

https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/as-clintons-prepare-to-answer-questions-about-epstein-trump-balks

It’s never been altogether clear why Rep. James Comer, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, launched a crusade to get Bill and Hillary Clinton to testify as part of his panel’s Jeffrey Epstein investigation. But the Kentucky Republican did it anyway, even issuing first-of-their-kind subpoenas to compel the Democrats’ testimony.....

“So let’s stop the games,” Hillary Clinton added. “If you want this fight, @RepJamesComer, let’s have it — in public. You love to talk about transparency. There’s nothing more transparent than a public hearing, cameras on. We will be there.”

The hapless committee chairman hasn’t yet responded, but in the meantime, there’s also a larger context to all of this. The New York Times reported that no former president has ever been compelled to testify to Congress under subpoena, and Comer has set a precedent his party might ultimately come to regret.

Members of Congress don’t necessarily think that is a good thing; they want the ability to bring in former presidents when they are relevant witnesses and may have something meaningful to say. And Mr. Comer’s move was a rare power play by a Republican lawmaker at a time when the G.O.P.-led House and Senate have ceded much of their power to the White House.

But his accomplishment also amounted to a remarkable use of government power to target a political adversary — the kind seen more often in autocratic societies where a peaceful transfer of power is not a given because leaders fear ending up in prison after leaving office. And it was one that some experts said further chipped away at the country’s democratic norms.

Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, told the Times that “like all powers of Congress or any other branch, these are powers that can be abused. We’re living in a period of spectacular abuse of power.”.....

It was against this backdrop that NBC News’ Tom Llamas reminded the incumbent president: “Democrats are already saying if you bring President Bill Clinton and he has to testify, we’re bringing President Trump.” Before the anchor could finish his question about this, Trump interjected.

“Well, I think they might say that, you know? But they’ve already brought me. See, I’ve been brought,” the president replied. “They had me indicted, many, many times. Many, many times.”

Like so many of the president’s comments, this didn’t make any sense at all — congressional Democrats had nothing to do with the many criminal charges Trump has faced — though the response suggested he’s not at all eager to answer questions about Epstein, even if subpoenaed in future years, and even if the Clintons cooperate.

trump may be worried about being called before congress after his term is up. I personally do not believe that trump will survive to the end of his term in order to be forced to testify. trump may be worried because he cannot conceive of dying