Clintons say they will testify in House Epstein probe, but arrangement not final
Bill and Hillary Clinton agreed to appear for depositions in the House Oversight Committee's Epstein investigation, but the committee chair says no written deal is in place.
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By Torontoer Staff
Former president Bill Clinton and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton told House Oversight Committee staff late Monday that they will appear for depositions in the committee's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, but committee chair Representative James Comer said an agreement has not been finalised.
Comer continued to press for criminal contempt of Congress charges for both Clintons after their lawyers asked him to halt contempt proceedings while depositions are scheduled on mutually agreeable dates. Comer said he had not received anything in writing and would consider the offer.
What the Clintons offered
Attorneys for the Clintons proposed that Bill Clinton undergo a transcribed interview and that Hillary Clinton submit a sworn declaration. The committee said the offer was insufficient and reiterated that both must appear for sworn depositions before the panel.
We don’t have anything in writing. It depends on what they say.
Representative James Comer
Comer has said the committee needs sworn depositions to fulfil subpoenas issued in August as part of the probe into Epstein and his associates. He rejected the Clintons' earlier offer for alternative forms of testimony, saying the committee would not allow them to dictate the terms of lawful subpoenas.
Where the contempt resolutions stand
Republican leaders had been moving contempt resolutions through the House Rules Committee ahead of a possible floor vote. The Rules Committee postponed advancing the resolutions as negotiations continued. If passed by the House and prosecuted successfully by the Department of Justice, criminal contempt charges carry potential fines and prison time.
A criminal contempt vote would mark a rare step by Congress, and could be the first time a former president faces that punishment. Historically, Congress has shown deference to former presidents and few have been compelled to testify.
Political reactions and context
The Clintons' decision to negotiate followed months of resistance to the subpoenas. Their lawyers challenged the validity of the committee's demands while the Oversight Committee continued its push for testimony related to Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting sex-trafficking trial.
They negotiated in good faith. You did not. They told you under oath what they know, but you don’t care.
Angel Ureña, Clinton spokesperson
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said his caucus would discuss the contempt resolutions later in the week but stopped short of committing to oppose them formally. Jeffries called the move a politically driven effort and criticised the committee for focusing on the Clintons instead of securing full Department of Justice files on Epstein.
They don’t want a serious interview, they want a charade.
Representative Hakeem Jeffries
Nine Democrats on the Oversight Committee joined Republicans last month in supporting contempt charges against Bill Clinton, and three Democrats supported advancing charges against Hillary Clinton. The split underscored the political sensitivity of compelling testimony from former high-profile officials.
What to expect next
Any final agreement will need to be made in writing and approved by Comer. If written terms satisfy the committee, the contempt resolutions could be withdrawn. If not, the Rules Committee could move the resolutions to the House floor, where members would vote on criminal contempt referrals.
Even if the House votes to hold the Clintons in contempt, prosecution would rest with the Department of Justice. The DOJ would determine whether to pursue criminal charges, which would require building a case beyond the political arena.
Background on the investigation
The Oversight Committee opened its probe into Epstein and his associates after his arrest and subsequent death. The committee has sought extensive documents and testimony to understand the conduct of Epstein and the network surrounding him. Bill Clinton's past ties to Epstein have been scrutinised by Republicans, though he has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.
As the committee presses for sworn depositions, both legal teams and lawmakers will need to reach a clear, written arrangement for testimony to avoid a historic showdown over contempt.
For now, the Clintons' willingness to appear has reduced the immediate prospect of a House floor vote, but Comer and other committee officials have made clear they will not consider the matter settled until an agreed, documented arrangement is in hand.
ClintonsJeffrey EpsteinHouse OversightCongressTestimonyPolitics
