Former US President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify in the congressional investigation into late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The decision comes just days before a scheduled vote on whether to hold the couple in criminal contempt of Congress for previously refusing to appear before the House Oversight Committee.
Bill Clinton, who knew Epstein before the financier’s death in prison in 2019, has denied any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities and says he cut off contact more than 20 years ago. It is unclear when the depositions will take place, but if completed, it would mark the first time a former president testifies before Congress since Gerald Ford in 1983.
The Clintons had resisted prior demands, arguing that they had already given sworn statements outlining the “limited information” they possessed and dismissing the subpoenas as politically motivated. The House Oversight Committee, led by Republicans, had voted to hold them in contempt late last month, with some Democrats supporting the measure.
Lawyers for the Clintons initially offered limited testimony, proposing a four-hour interview with Bill Clinton, but Oversight Chairman James Comer expressed concerns about potential stalling. On Monday evening, Clinton’s deputy chief of staff, Angel Ureña, confirmed via X (formerly Twitter) that the couple would appear.
> “They negotiated in good faith,” Ureña said. “You did not. The former President and former Secretary of State will be there and look forward to setting a precedent that applies to everyone.”
As a result, consideration of the contempt resolutions has been postponed. House Rules Committee Chair Virginia Foxx said more time was needed to clarify the terms of the Clintons’ testimony. Comer added that he would review the agreement before deciding next steps with his committee.
Neither Clinton has been accused of wrongdoing by Epstein’s survivors, and both have consistently denied knowledge of his offenses. Hillary Clinton has also stated she never met or spoke to Epstein.
Epstein’s records show Bill Clinton took four international flights on Epstein’s private jet in 2002 and 2003 and appeared in photos at Epstein’s properties. Clinton’s team maintains these interactions were decades ago and unrelated to Epstein’s criminal activities.
The Clintons previously criticized Comer’s handling of the investigation, describing it as partisan and obstructive to uncovering facts. Comer emphasized that the subpoenas were issued with bipartisan support and insisted that “no one is above the law.”
