Comer defends the House's contempt finding after the vote
James Comer Jr.House Oversight Committee chairman
Comer said Black defied two subpoenas and that the House acted swiftly to find him in contempt. He said the committee would continue to seek transparency for the American people and justice for survivors in its investigation of the federal government's handling of the Epstein and Maxwell criminal cases.
“No one is above the law. Leon Black defied two subpoenas, and the U.S. House of Representatives acted swiftly to find him in contempt of Congress.”
Official statement
Other statements by James Comer Jr. in this case
- Comer says Black defied the subpoenas and "We have no choice but to hold him in contempt"Earlier: Defended or excused
Where this statement fits
Was the House justified in holding Leon Black in contempt of Congress over the Epstein inquiry?
On June 26, 2026, Leon Black appeared voluntarily for a transcribed interview in the House Oversight Committee's Epstein investigation. The committee said he declined to answer questions about nondisclosure agreements, and Chairman James Comer issued two subpoenas that day, one for a deposition and one for nondisclosure agreements. Black did not appear for the September 3 deposition and sued the committee that day; his attorneys said he had produced the only confidentiality agreement within the committee's stated purpose and that the subpoenas exceed its authority. The committee voted 41-0 on September 15 to recommend contempt, and the House agreed to the resolution by unanimous consent on September 16 with no recorded vote. Comer and Ranking Member Robert Garcia said Black defied the subpoenas, while Black's attorneys called the action retaliatory. The CourtListener copy of the lawsuit docket, last updated September 18, listed no ruling on Black's claims, and as of September 25, 2026 we could not locate a public Justice Department decision on the referral.
Source and context
Official statement
About this source
Chairman Comer's statement after the House approved the contempt resolution by unanimous consent.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Comer's statement followed the full House's September 16 contempt action against Black.
After the quotation
He said the committee would continue to seek transparency for the American people and justice for survivors in its investigation of the federal government's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell criminal cases.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The case's reference point is the decision to hold Leon Black in contempt over two subpoenas. Comer, whose committee issued the subpoenas, says Black "defied two subpoenas" and that the House "acted swiftly" to find him in contempt, and he ties the action to the principle that "No one is above the law". That is a defense of the decision. Challenged the characterization is the closest competing label; it loses because Comer supports the action itself and does not dispute a description of it.
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More from this case
Read the full caseFormer House counsel Michael Stern writes that Black's lawsuit "must fail" and that the committee "is entitled to question Black under oath"
“Black’s lawsuit must fail because it is well-settled that courts lack power to restrain congressional committees from issuing or enforcing a subpoena, regardless of the recipient’s claim that the subpoena violates constitutional privilege, was improperly motivated, or is otherwise unlawful. ... COGR is entitled to question Black under oath in a formal deposition even if Black had answered every pertinent question in a voluntary interview.”Read statement
Sen. Ron Wyden says "Black is doing everything in his power to dodge questions from Congress"
“No surprise Black is doing everything in his power to dodge questions from Congress.”Read statement
Rep. Yassamin Ansari says "Congressional subpoenas are binding, not suggestions"
“The House just unanimously approved our Oversight contempt resolution for Leon Black ... Congressional subpoenas are binding, not suggestions.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Comer defends the House's contempt finding after the vote". First published: 2026-10-06. Last updated: 2026-10-06. https://disputeindex.com/events/4945-comer-said-black-defied-two-subpoenas-and-that