Clintons Agree to Testify in House Epstein Probe as Contempt Vote Looms
Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify in a House investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to a late Monday announcement. This development comes as Republican leaders were preparing to advance criminal contempt of Congress charges against the couple for allegedly defying a congressional subpoena.
Last-Minute Negotiations Avert Immediate Contempt Vote
Representative James Comer, chair of the House Oversight Committee, had been preparing criminal contempt charges when attorneys for the Clintons emailed the committee stating the couple would comply and "will appear for depositions on mutually agreeable dates." The attorneys requested that Comer halt the contempt proceedings, though the Republican leader indicated he was not immediately dropping the charges.
"We don't have anything in writing," Comer told reporters, noting he was open to the Clintons' offer but that "it depends on what they say." The charges, if approved by the House and prosecuted by the Department of Justice, could carry fines and even jail time.
Months of Resistance and Political Tensions
The former president and secretary of state had resisted subpoenas for months after the Oversight panel issued demands for their testimony in August as part of its investigation into Epstein and his associates. Their attorney had previously argued against the validity of the subpoena.
Comer earlier Monday rejected an offer from the Clintons' attorneys that would have had Bill Clinton conduct a transcribed interview and Hillary Clinton submit a sworn declaration. The Kentucky Republican insisted that both Clintons sit for sworn depositions before the committee, stating "The Clintons do not get to dictate the terms of lawful subpoenas."
Bipartisan Support for Contempt Charges
The Republican-controlled Oversight committee advanced criminal contempt of Congress charges last month with some Democratic support. Nine of the committee's 21 Democrats joined Republicans in supporting charges against Bill Clinton, while three Democrats also supported advancing charges against Hillary Clinton, with members arguing for full transparency in the Epstein investigation.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said earlier Monday that his caucus would discuss the contempt resolutions later in the week but remained noncommittal on whipping votes against them. Jeffries stated he was a "hard no" on contempt and accused Comer of focusing on political retribution rather than investigating the delayed release of case files.
Historical Significance and Epstein Connections
The potential contempt vote represented a grave moment for Congress, marking the first time it could hold a former president in contempt and advance the threat of prison time. Historically, Congress has given deference to former presidents, with none ever being forced to testify before lawmakers, although a few have voluntarily done so.
Bill Clinton's relationship with Epstein has reemerged as a focal point for Republicans amid the push for a reckoning over Epstein, who killed himself in 2019 in a New York jail cell as he faced sex trafficking charges. Clinton, like numerous other high-profile men, had a well-documented relationship with Epstein in the late 1990s and early 2000s, though he has not been accused of wrongdoing in his interactions with the late financier.
Ongoing Political Battle
The Clintons remained highly critical of Comer's decision, with spokesperson Angel Ureña stating "They negotiated in good faith. You did not" in response to Comer's threats on Monday. Ureña added that "They told you under oath what they know, but you don't care."
Democrats have accused Republicans of focusing on political retribution rather than investigating the delayed release of Department of Justice case files on Epstein. They maintain that the Justice Department has not yet released all material it possesses on the late financier.
As negotiations continue, the prospect of Congress using one of its most severe punishments against a former president for the first time remains a possibility, though the Clintons' agreement to testify may ultimately avert this historic confrontation.
