Clintons Agree to Testify in Epstein Probe as Contempt Vote Looms
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state, have agreed to testify before a congressional panel investigating the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as a House vote looms on whether to hold the couple in criminal contempt of Congress.
The decision follows months of resistance from the Clintons, who had declined to comply with subpoenas issued by the Republican-led House Oversight and Accountability Committee. Lawmakers had been preparing to advance contempt resolutions after the couple refused to provide in-person testimony, citing previously submitted sworn statements as sufficient cooperation.
According to people familiar with the negotiations, the Clintons agreed to sit for depositions after it became clear that the House was moving closer to a floor vote that could formally cite them for contempt, a rare and politically charged step, particularly involving a former president and former first lady.
Committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, confirmed the development but said the committee had not yet finalized terms. “We expect full compliance with lawful subpoenas,” Comer said in a statement, adding that the panel would decide whether to proceed with contempt votes once details of the testimony are confirmed.
The investigation centers on Epstein’s connections to powerful political and business figures and seeks to determine whether any federal agencies failed to act on warnings about his activities. Bill Clinton’s past association with Epstein, including documented flights aboard Epstein’s private jet in the early 2000s, has drawn renewed scrutiny, though Clinton has denied any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal conduct and has said he never visited Epstein’s private island.
Hillary Clinton has stated she had minimal contact with Epstein and no awareness of his crimes.
If the depositions proceed, Bill Clinton would become one of the very few former presidents to testify before a congressional committee, and the first to do so in an investigation tied to alleged criminal misconduct by a third party.
The Clintons’ legal team has argued the investigation is politically motivated and intended to embarrass the couple rather than uncover new facts, noting that extensive documentation has already been provided.
The House Oversight Committee is expected to decide in the coming days whether to suspend or move forward with contempt proceedings pending the scheduled testimony.
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