Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are scheduled to provide testimony later this month as part of the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following weeks of tension between the former first couple and Republican lawmakers.
House Oversight Chairman James Comer confirmed that Hillary Clinton will appear on Feb. 26, followed by Bill Clinton on Feb. 27. Comer said in a statement: “The Clintons completely caved and will appear for transcribed, filmed depositions this month. We look forward to questioning the Clintons as part of our investigation into the horrific crimes of Epstein and Maxwell, to deliver transparency and accountability for the American people and for survivors.”
The testimony will take place in the form of transcribed, videotaped depositions, which are typically conducted behind closed doors (Republican aides insist the proceedings will not be open to the public). A location for the depositions has not yet been finalized, as the Clintons have requested New York City.
The standoff followed months of back-and-forth — the committee initially requested testimony last fall, later postponing dates into December and January, which the Clintons declined. After those refusals, the panel advanced bipartisan contempt resolutions, with some Democrats joining Republicans in support.
The format, however, of the Clintons testimony remains disputed. Clinton spokesperson Nick Merrill pushed back publicly, saying, “At the 11th hour, James Comer asked for a camera, that’s fine. He can have 1,000 cameras. The Clintons will do this publicly.” Another spokesperson, Angel Ureña, echoed that position, accusing Comer of bad faith negotiations and adding, “They negotiated in good faith. 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.”
The agreement came just as the House was preparing to vote on holding both Clintons in contempt of Congress for failing to comply with subpoenas. Those proceedings have been paused, though Comer emphasized that contempt “is still on the table” if the couple fails to appear. “This will be their third date that we’ve given the Clintons and three strikes, and you’re out,” he said.
In written declarations submitted earlier this year, both Clintons denied any involvement in or knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities. Bill Clinton acknowledged flying on Epstein’s plane during philanthropic trips tied to the Clinton Foundation in the early 2000s but said he never visited Epstein’s private island and had not been in contact with him for more than a decade before Epstein’s 2019 arrest. Hillary Clinton stated she did not recall any meaningful interaction with Epstein and said she never traveled with him. Their declarations said: “To be clear, I had no idea of Mr. Epstein’s or Ms. Maxwell’s criminal activities. And, irrespective of any intent either may have ever had, I did not take any action for the purpose of helping them to avoid any type of scrutiny.”
Neither Clinton has been accused of wrongdoing, and no Epstein survivor or associate has publicly alleged misconduct by either. The upcoming testimony is expected to mark a significant moment in the Oversight Committee’s investigation, even as disagreements continue over how transparent the process should be.
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