WASHINGTON D.C. — In a stunning capitulation that has rocked the nation’s capital, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have “surrendered” to congressional pressure, agreeing to testify before the House Oversight Committee regarding their connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The bombshell development comes just days before the full House was scheduled to vote on holding the relentless power couple in criminal contempt of Congress. Facing the very real prospect of federal charges, the Clintons effectively blinked, abandoning their previous refusal to comply with lawful subpoenas.
“THEY DO NOT GET TO DICTATE TERMS”
While Clinton spokespeople attempted to frame the decision as a mutual agreement, claiming they “negotiated in good faith,” Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) made it clear that this was a victory for the rule of law, not a negotiation.
“The Clintons are in contempt of Congress,” Comer stated bluntly on X. “Their attorneys’ latest letter makes clear they still expect special treatment because of their last name. The Clintons do not get to dictate the terms of lawful subpoenas.“
Comer rejected any “special caveats” demanded by the former first couple, insisting that in-person, sworn testimony is necessary to uncover the extent of their relationship with Epstein and any knowledge they may possess about his illicit network.
BIPARTISAN BACKING
The Clintons’ decision to cooperate follows a humiliating defeat in the Oversight Committee two weeks ago. In a rare show of bipartisanship, the panel voted 34–8 to advance the contempt resolution against Bill Clinton, with nine Democrats crossing the aisle to join Republicans. A similar measure against Hillary Clinton passed with three Democrats in support.
This marked a major escalation in the investigation. The subpoenas, originally issued in July 2025, required the Clintons to explain their “long-standing social and professional connections” to Epstein. For months, their legal team dismissed the subpoenas as “invalid” and “politically motivated,” accusing Republicans of trying to imprison them.
“You are on the cusp of bringing Congress to a halt to pursue a rarely used process literally designed to result in our imprisonment,” the Clintons wrote in a joint statement just weeks ago.
NO MORE DELAYS
Despite their defiant rhetoric, the looming floor vote—and the bipartisan appetite for answers regarding Epstein—forced their hand.
Attorneys for the Clintons have now agreed to appear for sworn depositions on “mutually agreed-upon dates,” though scheduling details are still being finalized. The committee’s investigation aims to determine if federal agencies failed to pursue leads related to Epstein’s activities due to his high-profile associations.
As Chairman Comer noted, “The Committee does not take this action lightly.” For the first time in history, a former President and a former Secretary of State faced simultaneous contempt citations—and they chose to talk rather than face the consequences.
