Clintons Agree to Closed-Door Depositions in House Epstein Investigation

Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton agreed on Monday to sit for closed-door depositions before the House Oversight Committee in its investigation of Jeffrey Epstein, a reversal that came just hours before House Republicans were poised to advance contempt of Congress resolutions that could have led to criminal referrals and possible jail time or hefty fines bbc +2. Their lawyers told the panel they would “appear for depositions on mutually agreeable dates” and urged leaders to pause contempt action while the terms are finalized nbcnews +1.

The agreement followed months of resistance to subpoenas issued in August 2025, with the Clintons arguing the Republican‑led inquiry was legally flawed and politically motivated pbs +1. The Oversight Committee, chaired by Rep. James Comer (R‑Ky.), has sought to question the couple about their past ties to Epstein and the Justice Department’s handling of millions of pages of newly released records on the late financier and sex offender politico +1.

A Rare Compromise in a High-Stakes Standoff

The standoff escalated sharply in January, when the Oversight Committee voted to advance criminal contempt resolutions against both Clintons after they refused to appear, a step that split Democrats on the panel and set up a possible House floor vote to refer the matter to the Justice Department jpost +1. As the House Rules Committee met this week to consider sending those measures to the floor, the Clintons’ legal team emailed its offer to testify, prompting GOP leaders to briefly halt the contempt push while they seek clarity on timing and scope nbcnews +1.

Comer said the couple’s new offer still lacked firm dates and specifics, warning that “the only reason they have said they agree to terms is because the House has moved forward with contempt” nbcnews. Clinton aide Angel Ureña countered that the pair “look forward to setting a precedent that applies to everyone,” framing their appearance as a test of whether Republicans truly want answers or simply a high-profile fight politico.

Politics, Precedent and the Epstein Files

The inquiry is part of a broader Republican effort to scrutinize how the Justice Department handled investigations into Epstein and his network, after the release of more than 3.5 million pages of related documents reignited public scrutiny of powerful figures linked to him politico +1. Bill Clinton has previously acknowledged several trips on Epstein’s plane for Clinton Foundation work in the early 2000s but has denied knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activity politico. Democrats close to the Clintons have blasted the subpoenas as an attempt to “harass and embarrass” political opponents, even as some progressives backed contempt to signal support for full transparency on the Epstein case reuters +1.

Legal analysts noted that compelling sworn testimony from a former president and former secretary of state would be highly unusual and could test the boundaries of congressional investigative power, though any contempt referral would still rely on the Justice Department to prosecute bbc +1. Criminal contempt of Congress can carry up to a year in jail and fines up to $100,000, former U.S. Attorney John Fishwick said, underscoring the leverage that helped drive the last‑minute deal nytimes.

The Bigger Picture

The looming depositions ensure the Epstein scandal will remain a live issue in Washington, with potential implications not only for the Clintons but for how aggressively future Congresses pursue former presidents and senior officials. Whether the episode is remembered as a breakthrough for accountability or a partisan spectacle will hinge on what is revealed behind closed doors—and whether Republicans and Democrats can agree on how to use the unprecedented testimony they fought so hard to secure.