Bill and Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify under oath in the House Jeffrey Epstein investigation after months of resistance, avoiding contempt of Congress charges that could have resulted in serious legal consequences.

Last-Minute Agreement Reached

The former president and secretary of state will appear for closed-door depositions on February 27 and February 26, respectively. House Oversight Chair James Comer secured the agreement just hours before a scheduled contempt vote. The depositions will be videotaped, transcribed, and have no time limit. Comer gave the Clintons until Tuesday noon to accept his terms or face contempt proceedings.

The Clintons initially challenged the subpoenas through their attorneys, arguing they were invalid and unfairly targeted while other witnesses provided only written testimony. Their legal team attempted multiple negotiations to control deposition conditions, including location, scope, length, attendees, and transcription methods. Comer rejected all compromise attempts.

Democratic Division Emerges

The contempt threat exposed splits within Democratic ranks. Nine Democrats on the oversight panel supported contempt votes last month, while senior party leaders opposed the move as political theater. Representative Robert Garcia, the panel’s top Democrat, confirmed the Clintons accepted every condition Comer demanded. Garcia stated Democrats wanted to hear from Clinton from the beginning of the investigation.

What Comes Next

Comer indicated openness to public hearings after the private depositions conclude, acknowledging both Democratic requests and the Clintons’ preference for public testimony. The depositions will focus on the former first couple’s connections to Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in federal custody. Bill Clinton has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein. The investigation continues as part of broader congressional scrutiny into Epstein’s network and enablers.