Post by : Bianca
Haleem
Former US President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify before a House committee investigating convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following mounting pressure from Republicans.
The development came late Monday after the House Oversight Committee, led by Republican Rep. James Comer, moved forward with criminal contempt of Congress charges against the Clintons for allegedly defying subpoenas issued in August.
According to committee officials, attorneys representing the Clintons informed staff via email that both leaders were willing to appear for sworn depositions on mutually agreeable dates. However, they requested that Comer halt the contempt proceedings in return.
Comer said no formal agreement had been finalized. “We don’t have anything in writing,” he told reporters, adding that he was open to discussions but would wait to see “what they say.”
The contempt charges, if approved by the House and prosecuted by the Justice Department, could carry penalties including heavy fines and potential jail time — a move that would mark the first time Congress has pursued contempt action against a former US president.
Earlier, Comer rejected a proposal from the Clintons’ legal team that would have allowed Bill Clinton to sit for a transcribed interview while Hillary Clinton submitted a sworn written statement. He insisted both must comply fully with the subpoenas through sworn depositions. “The Clintons do not get to dictate the terms of lawful subpoenas,” Comer said.
As negotiations continued, the House Rules Committee temporarily delayed advancing the contempt resolutions, which had been nearing a vote on the House floor.
The investigation has reignited scrutiny of Bill Clinton’s past association with Epstein during the late 1990s and early 2000s. While Clinton has acknowledged interactions with Epstein, he has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
Democrats have criticized Comer’s actions as politically motivated. Clinton spokesperson Angel Ureña accused the committee chairman of ignoring broader accountability issues, including delays in releasing Epstein-related files by the Justice Department.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries opposed the contempt push, calling it a political exercise rather than a serious investigation.
Despite bipartisan tensions, the case underscores a rare and significant moment in congressional history, highlighting the growing demand for transparency surrounding the Epstein investigation.
English
