Clintons Agree to House Oversight Depositions Following Contempt Threat
Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are scheduled to appear for transcribed and filmed depositions later this month. This agreement comes as part of the House Oversight Committee's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, following earlier non-compliance with subpoenas that prompted threats of contempt of Congress proceedings. The Clintons, who initially declined to appear, characterizing the inquiry as politically motivated, subsequently agreed after the committee authorized contempt resolutions.
The agreement ensures the Clintons will provide testimony in transcribed and filmed depositions regarding the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
Congressional Probe Targets Epstein Associations
In August, the House Oversight Committee, led by Chairman James Comer (R-KY), issued subpoenas to both Bill and Hillary Clinton. The committee's stated aim is to review the government's handling of the Epstein case and seek answers regarding his activities. While Chairman Comer clarified that the committee was not accusing the Clintons of wrongdoing, it sought their testimony due to documented associations between Bill Clinton and Epstein.
Jeffrey Epstein, a financier, was convicted of sex offenses and arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking and conspiracy charges before dying by suicide in jail.
Initial Resistance and Declarations
Attorneys for the Clintons initially described the subpoenas as "invalid and legally unenforceable," arguing they lacked a valid legislative purpose. They also suggested the subpoenas were a "ploy to attempt to embarrass political rivals" and an "unprecedented infringement on the separation of powers."
Bill Clinton did not appear for his scheduled deposition in mid-January, which led Chairman Comer to announce the initiation of contempt-of-Congress proceedings.
The Clintons maintained they possessed no information relevant to the committee's investigation.
In mid-January, they publicly released two sworn written declarations to the committee. Both denied personal knowledge of Epstein's and Ghislaine Maxwell's criminal activities and denied ever visiting Epstein's private estate in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Bill Clinton stated he had used Epstein's private aircraft for philanthropic work between 2002 and 2003, citing its ability to accommodate him, his staff, and Secret Service detail. He denied encountering Epstein for over a decade prior to his 2019 arrest. Hillary Clinton stated she had no significant interactions with Epstein, never used his plane, and never visited his island. Both also denied involvement in any criminal investigations or prosecutions of Epstein or Maxwell.
Contempt Proceedings and Offer Rejection
Following Bill Clinton's non-appearance, House Republicans advanced resolutions to hold both Clintons in contempt of Congress, with the House Oversight Committee voting to authorize these proceedings. A resolution passed by the full House could lead to a referral to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia for potential criminal prosecution.
Amid these developments, the Clintons' legal team offered alternative terms for Bill Clinton's testimony: a four-hour, transcribed interview in New York City, with a limited scope to the Epstein investigation. They also suggested Hillary Clinton could provide a second sworn declaration or a similar in-person interview.
Chairman Comer rejected this offer, labeling it "ridiculous" and "unreasonable." He objected to the proposal's voluntary interview format, the four-hour time limit, restrictions on scope, and the Clintons' request to have their own transcriber present. Comer asserted that the proposed terms deviated from standard committee practices and implied the Clintons were seeking preferential treatment.
Agreement to Testify: Depositions Scheduled
Subsequently, the Clintons agreed to provide testimony. Hillary Clinton is scheduled for a deposition on February 26, and Bill Clinton on February 27. Chairman Comer confirmed that these depositions would be transcribed and filmed.
Despite the Clintons' preference for a public hearing, these depositions will be conducted behind closed doors. Bill Clinton advocated for a public hearing, stating on social media that it would allow the American people to "see for themselves what this is really about" and criticized the closed-door process as serving "partisan interests" rather than justice or truth. Chairman Comer indicated that the video and transcripts of the closed-door depositions would be made publicly available later, and the Clintons would be welcome to testify in a public hearing if they wished.
Context and Broader Criticisms
Neither Bill Clinton nor Hillary Clinton has been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein's crimes, and no public allegations of misconduct have been made by Epstein survivors or associates against them.
The Clintons have characterized the congressional inquiry as a political tool aimed at opponents of former President Donald Trump.
Republicans have cited Bill Clinton's past travels on Epstein's private aircraft and the family's relationship with Epstein and Maxwell as reasons warranting in-person questioning under oath. Democrats on the oversight committee have emphasized the importance of congressional cooperation while also expressing concerns that the contempt resolutions could serve as a partisan strategy. Some Democrats have also pointed to President Trump's past associations with Epstein and criticized the pace of his administration's release of related records, alleging a cover-up.
In November, bipartisan legislation mandated the release of all government files related to Epstein. The Justice Department began releasing documents in December, which included photographs of Bill Clinton.