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Clintons Negotiate Testimony in Epstein Investigation as Contempt Charges Loom
The former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were engaged in last-minute negotiations late Monday to comply with a congressional subpoena for their testimony in a House investigation into the late Jeffrey Epstein, though a definitive agreement remained elusive. The standoff raises the specter of unprecedented congressional action against a former president and underscores the ongoing political fallout from Epstein’s crimes.
The House Oversight Committee, led by Rep. James Comer, advanced criminal contempt of Congress charges against both clintons earlier Monday, alleging defiance of the subpoena. However,a spokesman for the Clintons,Angel Ureña,indicated their willingness to testify,posting on social media that the pair “will be there.”
“We don’t have anything in writing,” Comer told reporters, adding that he remained open to accepting their offer, “but it depends on what they say.” The committee chair initially rejected a proposal from the Clintons’ legal team for Bill Clinton to participate in a transcribed interview and Hillary Clinton to submit a sworn declaration.
The escalating tension unfolded as Republican leaders moved to bring the contempt resolution to a vote in the House rules Committee – a critical step before a full House vote. if approved by the House and successfully prosecuted by the Department of Justice, the charges could result in substantial fines and even imprisonment for both Clintons.
Comer stated he would insist on sworn depositions from both Clintons before the committee to fulfill the subpoenas. According to a letter from the committee to the Clintons’ attorneys, the initial offer involved a four-hour transcribed interview for Bill Clinton concerning “matters related to the investigations and prosecutions of Jeffrey epstein” and a sworn declaration from Hillary Clinton.”The Clintons do not get to dictate the terms of lawful subpoenas,” Comer, a Kentucky Republican, asserted.
The Republican-controlled Oversight panel initially advanced the criminal contempt charges last month, with surprising bipartisan support.Nine of the committee’s 21 democrats joined Republicans in backing the charges against Bill Clinton, citing the need for full transparency in the Epstein investigation. Three Democrats also supported advancing charges against Hillary Clinton.
Bill Clinton’s relationship with Epstein has become a renewed focal point for Republicans as they pursue a broader reckoning over the convicted sex offender, who died by suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges. Clinton maintained a well-documented relationship with Epstein in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection with the financier.
Following the August subpoenas, the Clintons’ legal team initially challenged their validity. However,as Comer threatened to initiate contempt proceedings,negotiations toward a compromise began.
The Clintons have been critical of Comer’s approach, alleging that he is injecting politics into the investigation and failing to hold the Trump administration accountable for delays in releasing Department of Justice case files related to Epstein.
The potential for a vote on the contempt charges raises the possibility of Congress employing one of its most severe punishments against a former president for the first time in US history. Historically, Congress has shown deference to former presidents, and none have been compelled to testify before lawmakers, though some have done so voluntarily.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries indicated that his caucus would discuss the contempt resolutions later this week, with his leadership team determining whether to issue a whip against them.Jeffries firmly opposed the contempt charges, accusing comer of prioritizing “political retribution” over investigating the delayed release of case files. He also stated that the Justice Department has yet to release all available material pertaining to Epstein.
