Clintons agree to testify in Epstein probe as contempt vote delayed

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify in a congressional investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.

The decision comes days before a planned vote on whether to hold the couple in criminal contempt of Congress for failing to appear before the House Oversight Committee.

It remains unclear when the depositions will take place. If they proceed, Bill Clinton will become the first former U.S. president to testify before a congressional panel since Gerald Ford in 1983.

Background on the dispute

The Clintons had previously resisted demands to appear, saying they had already provided sworn statements with what they described as limited information about Epstein.

They also criticised the subpoenas as politically motivated. Their legal team said the summonses aimed to embarrass political rivals at the direction of Donald Trump.

Last month, the Republican led Oversight Committee approved contempt measures against the Clintons, with support from some Democrats.

Confirmation and delay of vote

On Monday evening, Bill Clinton’s deputy chief of staff Angel Ureña confirmed on X that the couple would appear before the committee.

He said the Clintons negotiated in good faith and were prepared to testify under oath. Following the announcement, lawmakers postponed consideration of the contempt resolutions.

House Rules Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx said the delay would allow time to clarify the terms of the agreement.

Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said he would review the conditions and consult with committee members before deciding next steps.

Clinton links to Epstein

Bill Clinton has acknowledged knowing Epstein but has denied any knowledge of his criminal activity. He says he ended contact more than twenty years ago.

Neither Bill nor Hillary Clinton has been accused of wrongdoing by Epstein’s survivors. Hillary Clinton has said she never met or spoke with Epstein.

Flight records show Bill Clinton took four international trips on Epstein’s private jet in 2002 and 2003. After Epstein’s arrest in 2019, a Clinton spokesperson said the trips related to work connected to the Clinton Foundation.

Photos released by the United States Department of Justice show Bill Clinton at Epstein’s property. His spokesman said the images are decades old and predate Epstein’s crimes becoming public.

Ongoing political tension

In a letter sent last month to Comer, the Clintons accused him of mishandling the investigation and prioritising partisan politics over fact finding.

Comer rejected the claim, noting that subpoenas were approved in a bipartisan vote. He said the committee had given the Clintons multiple opportunities to testify.

The investigation continues as lawmakers prepare for testimony and further review.