Clintons Agree to Testify in Epstein Probe as Congress Pauses Contempt Push

Former US President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify before Congress as part of the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, easing a months-long standoff just days before a planned vote to hold the couple in criminal contempt.

The decision comes ahead of a looming House vote on whether to sanction the Clintons for declining to appear before the Republican-led committee. Following confirmation that both will now testify, lawmakers announced that consideration of the contempt resolutions would be postponed.

It remains unclear when the depositions will take place, but the move would mark a rare moment in congressional history. If Bill Clinton appears, he would become the first former US president to testify before a congressional panel since Gerald Ford did so in 1983.

Bill Clinton was acquainted with Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The former president has consistently denied any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and has said he severed ties with him more than 20 years ago. Hillary Clinton has stated that she never met or spoke to Epstein.

The Clintons had previously resisted the committee’s demands, arguing that they had already provided sworn written statements reflecting what they described as their “limited information” about Epstein. Their legal team dismissed the committee’s subpoenas as politically motivated, calling them an attempt to embarrass political rivals.

The House Oversight Committee nevertheless voted late last month to advance contempt proceedings, with the measure receiving support from several Democrats as well as Republicans. Over the weekend, lawyers for the Clintons proposed limited testimony, centred largely on a four-hour interview with Bill Clinton, though committee chairman James Comer raised concerns that such an arrangement could restrict questioning.

On Monday evening, Bill Clinton’s deputy chief of staff, Angel Ureña, confirmed on social media that both Clintons would appear before the panel.
“They negotiated in good faith,” Ureña wrote, addressing the committee. “You did not. They told you under oath what they know, but you don’t care. But the former President and former Secretary of State will be there. They look forward to setting a precedent that applies to everyone.”

Soon after, House Rules Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx said the contempt vote would be delayed to allow more time “to clarify with the Clintons what they are actually agreeing to”. Chairman Comer said he would review the terms and then consult with committee members on the next steps.

Neither Bill nor Hillary Clinton has been accused of wrongdoing by survivors of Epstein’s abuse, and both have firmly denied any knowledge of his criminal activities. Supporters of the move to testify say it could help bring greater transparency to the investigation and reduce political tensions surrounding the inquiry.