• William Barr testifies no evidence implicates Trump in Epstein investigation.
• House Oversight Committee's probe includes subpoenas for Bill and Hillary Clinton.
• Democrats express frustration over the handling of the investigation.
• Comer emphasizes bipartisan effort, questioning the seriousness of the inquiry.

Former Attorney General William Barr provided testimony on Monday regarding his knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein during a deposition with the House Oversight Committee. His comments reportedly absolved President Donald Trump of any blackmail or implication in the Epstein files. During the questioning, Barr stated that he had never engaged in conversations about a "client list" pertaining to Epstein with Trump and insisted he had not seen any material implicating the former president in the allegations against Epstein, according to HuffPost, ABC News, and The Hill.

Committee Chair Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) confirmed reporters that Barr expressed beliefs that any significant evidence against Trump would have likely been leaked by the Biden administration, reinforcing the notion that no substantial evidence exists to accuse Trump, as reported in ABC News and The Hill.

Barr is the first witness called as part of the bipartisan investigation into Epstein, which has also issued subpoenas to a number of high-profile individuals, including Bill and Hillary Clinton, former FBI Directors, and other former attorneys general. The subpoenas reflect the investigation's breadth and the ongoing public interest in the Epstein case amidst accusations of a possible government cover-up concerning powerful figures, according to HuffPost and The Hill.

Democrats on the committee have expressed skepticism regarding the handling and direction of the investigation, suggesting that the Republican majority is not genuinely committed to uncovering the truth about Epstein’s actions. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) articulated that the inquiry appears to lack depth and real concern for the victims involved, advocating for more serious attention, according to ABC News and The Hill.

Despite the bipartisan nature of the inquiry, some committee members have accused Republicans, like Comer, of using the investigation as a political tool rather than focusing purely on Epstein's crimes. Comer, however, denied such accusations, insisting on the bipartisan intent of the investigation. He believes that they are genuinely working towards gaining access to the necessary documents relating to Epstein’s case and ensuring that justice for the victims is prioritized, according to HuffPost, ABC News, and The Hill.