Bill Clinton, Hillary agree to testify in Epstein-linked congressional probe amid contempt threat

Former US president Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify in a congressional investigation linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in jail in 2019, as per reports.

The decision came days before US lawmakers were set to vote on whether to hold the Clintons in criminal contempt of Congress over their earlier refusal to appear before the House Oversight Committee. The standoff between the committee and the Clintons had continued for several months.

As per reports, the Republican-led panel approved a move late last month to proceed with contempt action, a step that reportedly received backing from some Democratic members as well.

On Monday evening, Clinton deputy chief of staff Angel Ureña confirmed on social media platform X that the couple would now cooperate and appear before the committee. In his post addressed to the Oversight Committee, Ureña stated that the Clintons had negotiated in good faith and reiterated that they had already shared under-oath information to the extent of their knowledge. He added that both leaders were prepared to testify and hoped the process would set a standard applicable to all.

As per reports, the exact date of the depositions has not yet been finalised. However, if the testimony proceeds, it would mark a historic moment. Reportedly, no former US president has testified before a congressional committee since Gerald Ford did so in 1983.

Bill Clinton reportedly had associations with Epstein in the early 2000s but has consistently stated that he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal activities. He has also said that he cut off all ties with Epstein nearly two decades ago. Importantly, as per reports, no survivor of Epstein’s abuse has accused Clinton of any wrongdoing.

Flight records reportedly indicate that Clinton travelled on Epstein’s private jet on four international trips between 2002 and 2003. In addition, photographs released by the US Justice Department reportedly show Clinton at Epstein’s estate. These materials were made public under laws requiring disclosure of investigation-related records.

As per reports, one image shows Clinton swimming in a pool, while another shows him reclining in what appears to be a hot tub. When the images surfaced in December, Ureña reportedly said they were decades old and reiterated that Clinton had ceased contact with Epstein well before the financier’s crimes became publicly known.

Both Bill and Hillary Clinton have reportedly stated that they had already provided sworn statements to the committee and shared all limited information they possessed regarding Epstein. They also reportedly described the summonses as politically motivated and linked the move to directives associated with former President Donald Trump.