Clintons agree to testify in House Epstein probe ahead of contempt vote

Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton agreed late on Monday to testify in a House investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Clintons had previously refused to appear before the Republican-led House Oversight Committee.

Angel Ureña, a spokesperson for Bill Clinton, responded in a post Monday to a letter from Comer, saying the Clintons had “negotiated in good faith” and that Comer “had not.”

“They told you under oath what they know, but you don’t care,” Ureña wrote. “But the former President and former Secretary of State will be there. They look forward to setting a precedent that applies to everyone.”

Rep. James Comer, the chair of the House Oversight Committee, said an agreement had not yet been finalized. Comer said he was not immediately dropping the charges, which would carry the threat of a substantial fine and even incarceration if passed by the House and successfully prosecuted by the Department of Justice.

Earlier on Monday, Comer rejected an offer from the Clintons’ attorneys to have Bill Clinton conduct a transcribed interview, and Hillary Clinton submit a sworn declaration. He insisted that both Clintons sit for sworn depositions before the committee to fulfill the panel’s subpoenas.

In a statement Monday night, Comer said that while attorneys for the Clintons said they agreed to the terms, “those terms lack clarity yet again, and they have provided no dates for their depositions.”

“The only reason they have said they agree to terms is because the House has moved forward with contempt. I will clarify the terms they are agreeing to and then discuss next steps with my committee members,” Comer said.