Former US President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify before the US House Oversight Committee as part of its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following mounting pressure and the threat of criminal contempt proceedings.
The development came late Monday, just hours after Republicans moved to advance contempt of Congress resolutions against both Clintons for allegedly defying congressional subpoenas.
Agreement Reached, But Not Yet Final
Attorneys representing the Clintons informed committee staff via email that both leaders were prepared to appear for sworn depositions on mutually agreeable dates. They also requested that committee chair Rep. James Comer halt the contempt process in response to their cooperation.
However, Comer said no formal agreement had been finalized.
“We don’t have anything in writing,” Comer told reporters, adding that while he was open to accepting the offer, “it depends on what they say.”
The Kentucky Republican declined to immediately withdraw the contempt charges, which could carry significant fines and even the possibility of incarceration if approved by the House and prosecuted by the Department of Justice.
Contempt Vote Moves Forward
The negotiations unfolded as Republican leadership pushed the contempt resolutions through the House Rules Committee, the final procedural step before a full House vote.
If approved, it would mark a historic moment — the first time Congress has advanced criminal contempt proceedings against a former US president, raising the prospect of severe legal consequences.
Historically, former presidents have been treated with deference by Congress. While some have voluntarily testified, none have ever been compelled to do so under threat of punishment.
Dispute Over Testimony Terms
Earlier in the day, Comer rejected a proposal from Clinton attorneys that would have allowed:
- Bill Clinton to sit for a four-hour transcribed interview
- Hillary Clinton to submit a sworn written declaration
Comer insisted both must appear for sworn depositions, arguing that the committee alone has authority to determine the terms of compliance.
“The Clintons do not get to dictate the terms of lawful subpoenas,” Comer said.
Subpoenas were issued in August as part of the Oversight Committee’s probe into Epstein’s network and alleged failures in accountability.
Political Divide Over the Investigation
The push for contempt has exposed deep political divisions. While Republicans argue the Clintons resisted lawful subpoenas, Democrats accuse Comer of politicizing the investigation.
Notably, nine Democrats on the Oversight Committee voted with Republicans last month to advance contempt charges against Bill Clinton. Three Democrats supported moving forward against Hillary Clinton.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries strongly criticized the move, calling it political theater.
“They don’t want a serious interview, they want a charade,” Jeffries said, adding that Democrats would discuss their position on the floor vote later this week.
Epstein Ties Under Renewed Scrutiny
Bill Clinton’s past association with Epstein has once again become a focal point. The former president had documented interactions with Epstein in the late 1990s and early 2000s, though he has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, fueling ongoing public and political demands for accountability.
Clinton Camp Pushes Back
The Clintons’ spokesperson, Angel Urena, accused Comer of acting in bad faith and injecting politics into the probe.
“They negotiated in good faith. You did not,” Urena said. “They told you under oath what they know, but you don’t care.”
The Clintons have also criticized Republicans for not holding the Trump administration accountable for delays in releasing Justice Department files related to Epstein.
What Happens Next
With negotiations ongoing and contempt resolutions moving toward a House vote, the standoff remains unresolved. Whether the Clintons’ agreement to testify will be enough to halt the proceedings now depends on whether formal terms are finalized — and whether political momentum can be slowed.