Bill and Hillary Clinton agree to testify in Epstein investigation
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Feb 03, 2026, 21:21 IST
In a surprising turn of events, former President Bill Clinton and ex-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are set to provide testimony in a House inquiry focused on the longstanding Jeffrey Epstein case. This development comes as the House Oversight Committee accelerates efforts to move forward with contempt resolutions against those uncooperative in the investigation.
Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify in a House investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, following a move by the House Oversight Committee to advance contempt resolutions. Angel Ureña, a spokesperson for Bill Clinton, stated that the Clintons had "negotiated in good faith" and that Committee Chair James Comer "had not." The Clintons look forward to setting a precedent that applies to everyone.
It remains unclear when and where the Clintons will testify. In a statement, Comer acknowledged that attorneys for the Clintons said they agreed to terms, but noted that "those terms lack clarity yet again and they have provided no dates for their depositions." Comer also stated, "The only reason they have said they agree to terms is because the House has moved forward with contempt." He plans to clarify the terms and discuss next steps with committee members.
The Oversight Committee had previously voted to advance contempt resolutions for the Clintons to the House floor. The Rules Committee met to approve these resolutions, which were then intended for a floor vote this week. However, consideration of the resolution was suspended after the Clintons agreed to provide testimony.
The Clintons were subpoenaed in August by the Oversight Committee. The subpoenas also targeted several former Justice Department officials, including former Attorneys General Merrick Garland, Loretta Lynch, Eric Holder, William Barr, Jeff Sessions, and Alberto Gonzales. Former FBI Directors James Comey and Robert Mueller were also subpoenaed. The requests for testimony were related to "the horrific crimes perpetrated by Jeffrey Epstein."
The Justice Department recently released over 3.5 million pages of files related to Epstein. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated this constitutes about half of the more than 6 million relevant documents collected. Much of the released material was redacted.
The first set of Epstein files released in December included numerous pictures of Bill Clinton. His spokesperson explained that he had flown on Epstein’s plane for Clinton Foundation trips in the early 2000s, before Epstein was charged with any sex crimes. Bill Clinton has denied any wrongdoing. He previously stated that he cut ties with Epstein before the financier was accused in 2006 of having sex with a minor.
In a December statement, Hillary Clinton’s spokesperson, Nick Merrill, questioned her involvement.
“Since this started, we’ve been asking what the hell Hillary Clinton has to do with this, and [Comer] hasn’t been able to come up with an answer.”
Earlier on Monday, Comer rejected an offer made by the Clintons' attorneys over the weekend. On Saturday, the attorneys proposed that Bill Clinton would participate in a four-hour transcribed interview in New York City. The scope of this interview would have been confined to matters related to the investigations and prosecutions of Jeffrey Epstein.
The attorneys also requested that additional questions for Hillary Clinton be addressed through a supplemental sworn declaration rather than in-person testimony. However, they stated that she would sit for an in-person interview following the same format as her husband if needed.
In his response to this offer, Comer called the request for the committee to withdraw its subpoena and contempt resolution prior to the interview "not reasonable."
“They told you under oath what they know, but you don’t care,” Ureña wrote. “But the former President and former Secretary of State will be there. They look forward to setting a precedent that applies to everyone."
It remains unclear when and where the Clintons will testify. In a statement, Comer acknowledged that attorneys for the Clintons said they agreed to terms, but noted that "those terms lack clarity yet again and they have provided no dates for their depositions." Comer also stated, "The only reason they have said they agree to terms is because the House has moved forward with contempt." He plans to clarify the terms and discuss next steps with committee members.
The Oversight Committee had previously voted to advance contempt resolutions for the Clintons to the House floor. The Rules Committee met to approve these resolutions, which were then intended for a floor vote this week. However, consideration of the resolution was suspended after the Clintons agreed to provide testimony.
The Clintons were subpoenaed in August by the Oversight Committee. The subpoenas also targeted several former Justice Department officials, including former Attorneys General Merrick Garland, Loretta Lynch, Eric Holder, William Barr, Jeff Sessions, and Alberto Gonzales. Former FBI Directors James Comey and Robert Mueller were also subpoenaed. The requests for testimony were related to "the horrific crimes perpetrated by Jeffrey Epstein."
The Justice Department recently released over 3.5 million pages of files related to Epstein. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated this constitutes about half of the more than 6 million relevant documents collected. Much of the released material was redacted.
The first set of Epstein files released in December included numerous pictures of Bill Clinton. His spokesperson explained that he had flown on Epstein’s plane for Clinton Foundation trips in the early 2000s, before Epstein was charged with any sex crimes. Bill Clinton has denied any wrongdoing. He previously stated that he cut ties with Epstein before the financier was accused in 2006 of having sex with a minor.
In a December statement, Hillary Clinton’s spokesperson, Nick Merrill, questioned her involvement.
“Since this started, we’ve been asking what the hell Hillary Clinton has to do with this, and [Comer] hasn’t been able to come up with an answer.”
Earlier on Monday, Comer rejected an offer made by the Clintons' attorneys over the weekend. On Saturday, the attorneys proposed that Bill Clinton would participate in a four-hour transcribed interview in New York City. The scope of this interview would have been confined to matters related to the investigations and prosecutions of Jeffrey Epstein.
The attorneys also requested that additional questions for Hillary Clinton be addressed through a supplemental sworn declaration rather than in-person testimony. However, they stated that she would sit for an in-person interview following the same format as her husband if needed.
In his response to this offer, Comer called the request for the committee to withdraw its subpoena and contempt resolution prior to the interview "not reasonable."
“They told you under oath what they know, but you don’t care,” Ureña wrote. “But the former President and former Secretary of State will be there. They look forward to setting a precedent that applies to everyone."