Clinton to Testify in Epstein Investigation
Image source, Getty Images. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, have agreed to testify in a Congressional investigation into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This decision comes just days before the House Oversight Committee is set to vote on whether to hold the pair in contempt of Congress. The Clintons had previously resisted appearing for testimony, leading to months of stalemate.
Bill Clinton knew Epstein, but denies any knowledge of his sexual crimes, stating he severed ties with him over two decades ago. The timing of the questioning remains unclear, but it would mark the first time a former U.S. President has testified before a Congressional committee since Gerald Ford in 1983.
Placeholder image for illustrative purposes.
Bipartisan Support for Testimony
The Republican-led House Oversight Committee approved a contempt resolution at the end of last month, with some Democratic members also voting in favor. On Monday evening, Bill Clinton’s deputy chief of staff, Angel Ureña, confirmed the Clintons’ agreement to testify in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He responded to the Oversight Committee’s post, writing: “They negotiated in good faith, and you didn’t. They’ve already told you, under oath, what they know, but you don’t care. The former President and former Secretary will appear. They look forward to establishing a precedent that applies to everyone.”
Previous Statements and Concerns
The Clintons have stated they previously provided sworn declarations to the committee and submitted what they described as “limited information” regarding Epstein. They criticized the subpoenas as “nothing more than a politically motivated attempt to harass them at the direction of President Trump.”
Bill Clinton has never been accused of wrongdoing by any of Epstein’s victims and maintains he was unaware of his crimes. Flight logs from Epstein’s private jet reveal Clinton traveled on four international flights with him in 2002 and 2003. The Department of Justice, following legislation passed by Congress, has released all investigative materials related to the convicted sex offender, including photos of Clinton at Epstein’s estate. One photo shows the former President swimming in a pool, while another depicts him reclining in what appears to be a hot tub, with his hands behind his head.
Ureña responded after these photos were released last December, stating they were decades old and Clinton had ceased contact with Epstein before his crimes came to light.
Criticism of the Investigation
Last month, the Clintons sent a letter to House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, criticizing his handling of the Epstein investigation. The letter read, “Your decisions, and your prioritization as Chairman of the Epstein investigation, have impeded a fact-finding process regarding the government’s role.” They added, “There is no legitimate explanation, other than partisan politics, for what you are doing.”
Comer previously stated the subpoenas for the Clintons were approved by a bipartisan vote and that “no one is above the law.” The Kentucky Republican said, “We have been in communication with President Clinton’s legal team for months, giving them ample opportunity to appear and designate a date, and they have continually delayed, stalled, and obstructed.”
For more information on the Epstein case, you can refer to the Department of Justice’s website and BBC News coverage.
