Washington, D.C. — Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify in the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, officials confirmed Monday.
The move comes days before a scheduled vote on whether to hold the couple in criminal contempt for initially refusing to appear. The depositions mark the first time a former U.S. president will testify before a congressional panel since Gerald Ford in 1983.
Bill Clinton is set to appear on 27 February, while Hillary Clinton will testify on 26 February. Both depositions will be recorded and transcribed, with no strict time limit, according to committee officials.
Epstein died in jail in 2019 while facing federal sex trafficking charges. While the Clintons were acquainted with Epstein, both have repeatedly denied knowledge of his crimes. Hillary Clinton has said she never met or spoke to Epstein. Bill Clinton’s spokesperson noted that his flights on Epstein’s private jet in 2002 and 2003 were connected to Clinton Foundation work, and that the former president ended all contact before Epstein’s criminal activities became public.
The agreement follows months of standoff between the committee and the Clintons. Initially, the couple argued that they had provided sworn statements covering the “limited information” they possessed. They dismissed the committee’s legal summons as politically motivated. Last month, the committee, led by Republicans with some Democratic support, approved a measure to hold them in contempt.
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On Saturday, Clinton lawyers proposed a limited, four-hour testimony for the former president, but committee chairman James Comer expressed concern that Bill Clinton might avoid key questions or use procedural delays. Monday evening, Clinton Deputy Chief of Staff Angel Ureña confirmed the couple would cooperate.
“They negotiated in good faith… the former President and former Secretary of State will be there,” Ureña posted on X, emphasizing the Clintons’ willingness to comply under oath.
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Following the announcement, lawmakers postponed consideration of the contempt resolution. House Rules Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx said more time was needed “to clarify with the Clintons what they are actually agreeing to.”
Neither Clinton faces accusations of wrongdoing from Epstein’s survivors. Their testimony is expected to shed light on their interactions and awareness of Epstein while underscoring the committee’s message that no individual is above the law.