In a dramatic development that has reignited public interest in one of the most notorious scandals of recent decades, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify before a congressional committee investigating the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The announcement came on February 2, 2026, just days before the Republican-led House of Representatives was poised to vote on holding both Clintons in criminal contempt of Congress for defying earlier subpoenas. The House Oversight Committee, chaired by Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), had subpoenaed the couple in August 2025 as part of a broader probe into Epstein’s crimes, the government’s handling of related investigations, and potential connections among high-profile figures.
The committee’s inquiry focuses on Epstein’s sex-trafficking network, which exploited dozens of underage girls, and examines why certain aspects of federal probes appeared stalled or incomplete over the years. Recent releases of millions of pages of Justice Department documents—mandated by new legislation—have included flight logs, photographs, and other records showing Bill Clinton’s past associations with Epstein, including multiple trips on the financier’s private jet in the early 2000s for Clinton Foundation-related travel. Clinton has repeatedly denied any knowledge of or involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities, stating he severed ties before Epstein’s 2006 charges.
Hillary Clinton’s inclusion in the subpoenas drew particular scrutiny and criticism from her representatives, who questioned her relevance given no documented direct links to Epstein. A spokesperson had previously demanded clarification on why she was targeted, with one statement asking, “What the hell does Hillary Clinton have to do with this?”
The breakthrough followed tense negotiations. Initially, the Clintons’ attorneys proposed alternatives: a four-hour transcribed interview for Bill Clinton in New York City, limited to matters related to Epstein’s investigations and prosecutions, and a sworn declaration from Hillary Clinton instead of in-person testimony. Chairman Comer rejected this as insufficient, insisting on full sworn depositions for both to comply with the subpoenas.
Late Monday, the Clintons’ legal team emailed committee staff confirming acceptance of the terms. “They accept the terms of your letter and will appear for depositions on mutually agreeable dates,” the message read, according to sources familiar with the correspondence. A spokesperson for Bill Clinton, Angel Ureña, reinforced the shift on social media, noting the couple had “negotiated in good faith.”
The agreement averts—for now—a rare and politically explosive contempt vote. If passed by the House and referred to the Justice Department, it could have led to criminal charges, though prosecutions in such cases are uncommon. The move drew bipartisan elements earlier: when the Oversight Committee advanced contempt resolutions in January 2026, several Democrats joined Republicans in supporting charges against Bill Clinton, citing the need for full transparency to honor Epstein’s victims.
This marks a historic moment. No former U.S. president has testified before Congress since Gerald Ford in 1983, who appeared voluntarily on a constitutional commemoration. Bill Clinton’s appearance would be unprecedented in the context of a contentious investigation.
Reactions poured in quickly. Supporters of the inquiry hailed it as a step toward accountability. “This is long overdue,” one victims’ advocate said. “The American people deserve answers about how someone like Epstein operated with apparent impunity among the elite.” Critics, including some Democrats on the committee, warned the probe has been politicized, with one calling it a “partisan fishing expedition” aimed at scoring points rather than uncovering new facts.
The depositions, expected to be closed-door and under oath, will likely probe the Clintons’ limited interactions with Epstein, any knowledge of his activities, and broader questions about federal responses during various administrations. No dates have been set, but sources indicate they could occur in the coming weeks.
As details emerge, the testimony could either quell speculation or fuel further debate over Epstein’s web of influence, which ensnared politicians, businessmen, and celebrities. For now, the Clintons’ decision to comply has shifted the narrative from defiance to cooperation, potentially allowing the committee to move forward without the distraction of contempt proceedings.
While neither Clinton has ever been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, the hearings will test their accounts against the mounting public record. In a case defined by shadows and unanswered questions, this rare capitulation may bring some measure of clarity—or at least closure—to a saga that has haunted American politics for years.
