Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will testify before the House Oversight Committee in the investigation of late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The couple had previously resisted subpoenas and risked being held in contempt of Congress. A spokesperson for Bill Clinton said they “look forward to setting a precedent that applies to everyone.”
House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) said the Clintons agreed to cooperate, but details still need to be finalized. “The only reason they have said they agree to terms is because the House has moved forward with contempt,” Comer said.
Bill Clinton is scheduled to testify on February 27, with Hillary Clinton appearing the day before. The sessions will be filmed and fully transcribed. If completed, it will be the first time a former U.S. president has testified before Congress since Gerald Ford in 1983.
ALSO READ: Epstein files: Melinda Gates says Bill Gates allegations ‘unbelievable sadness’
Both have denied knowing about Epstein’s crimes. Records show Bill Clinton flew on Epstein’s plane several times in the early 2000s, which his office said was for Clinton Foundation work. Hillary Clinton says she never flew on Epstein’s plane, visited his private island, or had meaningful contact with him.
Some Democrats criticized the committee, warning that Republicans might still pursue a contempt vote. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) said, “It would be clearly a demonstration that [Chair James] Comer is actually not interested in hearing the Clintons, but he’s only interested in political games.”
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson welcomed the news, saying, “We expect everyone to comply with Congress’s subpoenas.”
The Epstein case continues to involve high-profile figures in the U.S. and U.K., including former Prince Andrew and ex-UK ambassador Peter Mandelson.