Clintons offer to testify in Epstein probe, but what happens next could make history

Bill and Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify before the House Oversight Committee about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The agreement was reached late Monday evening, February 2, 2026. This ends a standoff where the Clintons faced criminal contempt of Congress charges for ignoring earlier subpoenas.

According to Newsweek, Kentucky Representative James Comer, the Republican committee chair, was moving forward with criminal contempt charges against both Clintons after they skipped subpoenaed depositions in August. If a former president and former presidential candidate went to jail over this, it would be historically significant. The Epstein case continues to affect US politics in unexpected ways.

The committee approved the contempt resolution against Bill Clinton last week with a 34-8 vote. The vote for Hillary Clinton passed 28-15 on Wednesday. Nine of the committee’s 21 Democrats joined Republicans in supporting charges against Bill Clinton, while three Democrats supported charges against Hillary Clinton, showing bipartisan demand for answers.

The Clintons tried to avoid sworn depositions but ultimately had to comply

The Clintons’ legal team initially offered to have Bill Clinton do a transcribed interview while Hillary Clinton would submit a sworn declaration. Comer rejected this proposal and insisted both must sit for sworn depositions to fulfill the subpoenas. The committee refused to accept any special treatment.

Comer told reporters he hadn’t received written confirmation of their compliance and wasn’t immediately dropping the contempt charges. He said, “We don’t have anything in writing,” adding that acceptance of their offer “depends on what they say.” The ongoing investigation has raised questions about what surveillance footage may reveal about the case.

The Clintons’ attorneys sent a letter confirming their clients accept Comer’s terms. The letter stated: “Please be advised, and please advise the Chairman, that my clients accept the terms of your letter and will appear for depositions on mutually agreeable dates.”

The Clintons’ spokesman, Angel Ureña, said the pair “will be there.” He criticized the committee’s actions, saying, “They negotiated in good faith. You did not. They told you under oath what they know, but you don’t care.” He added that the former President and former Secretary of State “look forward to setting a precedent that applies to everyone.”

The committee responded by posting that the Clintons were “trying to dodge contempt by requesting special treatment,” stating that “The Clintons are not above the law.” South Carolina Republican Representative Nancy Mace said the committee must hold Bill Clinton in contempt, insisting, “No one is above the law. Not even a former president. Survivors deserve answers. Silence protects predators.”

Bill Clinton’s relationship with Epstein has become a major focus for Republicans seeking accountability, though Clinton has not been accused of any wrongdoing in his interactions with the late financier. The Department of Justice’s handling of Epstein documents has also drawn public attention.