Bill and Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify in a House investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, days before a potential contempt of Congress vote. The decision follows a heated exchange with Republican Representative James Comer, chair of the House oversight committee, who insisted on a sworn deposition.
Comer rejected an offer for a transcribed interview from Bill Clinton and a sworn declaration from Hillary Clinton, stating, “The Clintons do not get to dictate the terms of lawful subpoenas.” The Clintons’ spokesman, Angel Ureña, countered that they had negotiated in good faith and would appear, setting a precedent for all.
The House had been moving toward a vote on criminal contempt charges, which could have led to fines or imprisonment. The Clintons had previously refused to testify, calling the subpoenas invalid and politically motivated. Nine Democrats joined Republicans in supporting charges against Bill Clinton, with three also backing charges against Hillary Clinton.
Bill Clinton’s past ties to Epstein have drawn scrutiny, though he has not been accused of wrongdoing. The release of over 3 million Epstein-related files by the Justice Department has intensified calls for transparency, with some alleging a cover-up. The Clintons remain critical of Comer’s approach but have agreed to testify under oath.
