Bill and Hillary Clinton Agree to Testify in House Epstein Investigation
Bill and Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify before a House committee examining matters connected to Jeffrey Epstein, easing a political and legal standoff that had raised the possibility of contempt of Congress proceedings.
The decision follows weeks of dispute between the former president, the former secretary of state and the House Oversight Committee, which is leading the Epstein investigation in Congress. Committee chair James Comer had pushed for both Clintons to appear for sworn depositions, arguing that compliance with congressional subpoenas is essential to the panel’s work.
A spokesperson for the Clintons said they had engaged in good-faith discussions and were prepared to cooperate under oath. The statement added that both would participate in testimony and expressed hope that the same standards would be applied consistently to others connected to the broader inquiry.
Lawmakers had been moving toward potential votes on whether to hold the pair in criminal contempt of Congress after their earlier refusal to testify. Such a move could have opened the door to legal penalties if pursued through the courts.
Comer said individuals subject to lawful subpoenas cannot determine the terms of their own compliance. For months, the Clintons had challenged the validity of the subpoenas, describing them as politically motivated and legally questionable.
Letters exchanged between the committee and the Clintons’ legal team show that alternative arrangements had previously been proposed. Those included a transcribed interview for Bill Clinton related to aspects of the Jeffrey Epstein case and a sworn written declaration from Hillary Clinton. The committee rejected those options, insisting instead on formal depositions.
In earlier responses, attorneys for the Clintons argued that the subpoenas lacked a clear legislative purpose and crossed constitutional boundaries limiting congressional investigative power. They also accused Republican lawmakers of using the Clinton Congress testimony issue as part of a broader political strategy.
Despite those objections, the Republican-led panel advanced contempt measures last month. Several Democratic members joined Republicans in supporting further steps, saying that transparency is important in any House Epstein investigation.
Public attention surrounding Epstein’s past associations has continued to generate debate years after his death in 2019, when he was found unresponsive in a New York jail while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. His connections with prominent figures have drawn scrutiny, although association alone has not led to criminal allegations in many instances.
Bill Clinton’s past social interactions with Epstein have resurfaced as congressional interest has intensified. The former president has previously acknowledged knowing Epstein and has said he regrets the contact, while maintaining he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal conduct. He has not been accused of wrongdoing related to those interactions.
The Justice Department has released large volumes of material connected to the Epstein case files, prompting disagreements in Washington over what information has been disclosed and whether additional records remain unreleased. Some Democrats have accused authorities of withholding documents, while certain Republicans have also called for broader public access.
After being subpoenaed last year, the Clintons initially sought to block enforcement through legal channels. As the committee moved closer to contempt proceedings, negotiations resumed, ultimately leading to their agreement to provide testimony.
Even as they prepare to appear, the Clintons have continued to criticize the direction of the inquiry, arguing that political considerations are shaping the investigation and that other aspects of the Epstein case deserve equal scrutiny.
