WASHINGTON — In a dramatic reversal that averted a historic constitutional showdown, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton agreed on Monday to testify before the House Oversight Committee. The decision comes after months of legal maneuvering and just hours before the House of Representatives was scheduled to vote on whether to hold the couple in criminal contempt of Congress.
The agreement marks a significant turning point in the committee’s sprawling investigation into the federal government’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case and his expansive sex-trafficking network. For months, the Clintons had dismissed the subpoenas as “legally invalid” and “politically motivated,” but the looming threat of criminal prosecution appears to have forced their hand.
A High-Stakes Game of Brinkmanship
The tension reached a fever pitch on Monday afternoon as the House Rules Committee moved to advance contempt resolutions against the former first couple. Had the full House voted to approve the charges, the matter would have been referred to the Department of Justice for potential criminal prosecution—a move that carried the threat of heavy fines and even prison time.
“The Clintons do not get to dictate the terms of lawful subpoenas,” said Representative James Comer (R-Ky.), Chairman of the House Oversight Committee. “While they attempted to offer limited, non-sworn statements, this committee has remained firm: we require sworn depositions to ensure full transparency for the American people.”
Earlier in the day, attorneys for the Clintons proposed a compromise under which the former president would sit for a four-hour “transcribed interview” and the former Secretary of State would submit a written declaration. Chairman Comer rejected the offer, characterizing it as an attempt to “run out the clock” and evade the rigors of a formal deposition where witnesses are legally bound to answer questions or explicitly invoke constitutional privileges.
The Statement from the Clinton Camp
Shortly after the House committee indicated it would proceed with the contempt vote regardless of the compromise offer, a Clinton spokesperson, Angel Ureña, confirmed the change in stance.
“They negotiated in good faith. You did not,” Ureña stated in a post on social media directed at Chairman Comer. “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.”
While the Clinton team maintains that they have already provided the committee with the “limited information” they possess, the agreement to appear for formal depositions suggests a shift in legal strategy. The committee is particularly interested in Bill Clinton’s documented travel on Epstein’s private aircraft and both Clintons’ social interactions with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Bipartisan Pressure and the Epstein Files
The push for testimony hasn’t been entirely partisan. In a rare display of cross-aisle cooperation on the Oversight Committee, several Democrats joined Republicans in voting to advance the contempt charges last month. These lawmakers argued that the gravity of the Epstein investigation—and the need to understand how he evaded justice for decades—superseded political loyalties.
The investigation has gained fresh momentum following the release of a massive cache of Department of Justice files related to Epstein in late 2025. These documents included previously unseen photographs and flight logs that reinvigorated public interest in Epstein’s high-profile associates.
What Happens Next?
While the Clintons have agreed in principle to testify, the exact dates and locations for the depositions are still being finalized. Chairman Comer noted that the committee needs “clarity” on the terms to ensure the depositions are not restricted by the arbitrary time limits previously proposed by the Clintons’ legal team.
The depositions are expected to take place in late February or early March. Legal experts suggest the sessions will likely be held behind closed doors, though a redacted transcript may be released to the public later.
As the 119th Congress continues its investigation, the testimony of a former president and a former secretary of state will undoubtedly be the most high-profile moment of the probe. For survivors of Epstein’s abuse and for the public seeking answers, the hope is that this compliance leads to a clearer picture of how a convicted sex offender maintained such proximity to the highest levels of power.
Sources and Links
- The Guardian: Bill and Hillary Clinton agree to testify in House Epstein investigation
- Associated Press (AP): Clintons agree to testify in House Epstein investigation ahead of contempt of Congress vote
- Fox News: Clintons agree to testify after House threatens contempt in Jeffrey Epstein probe
- PBS NewsHour: Clintons try to reach agreement for Epstein testimony with contempt of Congress vote looming
- Washington Examiner: Bill and Hillary Clinton cave to Oversight Committee and agree to testify in Epstein probe
- House Oversight Committee (Official): Chairman Comer: Bill and Hillary Clinton Are Not Above the Law
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