Bill Clinton, former U.S. president, and Hillary Clinton, former U.S. secretary of state, have agreed to testify before the U.S. House Oversight Committee in the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein, the financier and sex offender who died in prison in 2019. After months of delay and near contempt of Congress votes, this marks the first time in over 40 years that former U.S. leaders will testify before this committee.
Former President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton have agreed to appear before the U.S. House investigation committee to clarify their connection with Jeffrey Epstein, the billionaire who sexually abused minors and died in prison in 2019.
This decision comes just days before the House is scheduled to vote on contempt of Congress charges after both repeatedly declined invitations and subpoenas for months. If the vote proceeds, it would be a historic moment as the first time former president and secretary of state testify before the committee since President Gerald Ford's administration in 1983.
Angel Ureña, Deputy Chief of Staff for Bill Clinton, confirmed on the platform X that both will appear before the committee but criticized Congress's approach, stating, "You (the committee) have not negotiated in good faith, even though we have provided sworn information, which you have ignored. Nevertheless, the former president and secretary will attend and hope to set a precedent for equal application of the law for everyone."
Previously, the Clinton family regarded the subpoena as a "political ploy" designed to humiliate them under former President Donald Trump's direction, asserting they have already provided all limited available information.
Although Bill Clinton has consistently denied any knowledge of Epstein's wrongdoing and claims to have severed ties over 20 years ago, flight records from Epstein’s private jet show Clinton traveled abroad with him four times between 2002 and 2003.
Additionally, the Department of Justice released photos as part of legal disclosures showing former President Clinton relaxing—swimming and resting in a hot tub at Epstein’s mansion. Clinton's spokesperson stated these were decades-old images taken before Epstein's misconduct was publicly known.
James Comer, Republican chairman of the committee, emphasized, "No one is above the law," noting that Clinton's legal team has continuously used delay tactics despite the subpoena being bipartisan-approved.
No specific date has been set for the testimony yet, but this development is closely watched for its potential impact on the Clinton family's image and the future direction of U.S. politics.
:SourceBBC