Clintons to testify in Epstein probe
House panel seeks answers on ties and federal handling of case
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton are scheduled to give closed‑door depositions to a House Oversight Committee investigating Jeffrey Epstein’s activities and the federal handling of his case. The sessions, to be held near the Clintons’ Chappaqua residence, follow initial refusals to cooperate and came after lawmakers moved to hold them in contempt of Congress. Committee chairman James Comer has said transcripts of the interviews will be made public.
Hillary Clinton has said she does not recall ever speaking with Epstein, though she met his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell, now imprisoned for trafficking underage girls. Bill Clinton has acknowledged ties to Epstein in the early 2000s—appearing in photographs and having flown on Epstein’s private plane multiple times—but has denied any wrongdoing and expressed regret over the association. Republican investigators contend Epstein visited the White House during Clinton’s presidency and have released a tranche of documents and photos tied to their inquiry; observers say the material includes suggestive images but does not by itself prove criminal conduct.
The committee’s probe seeks to clarify how Epstein sustained relationships with influential figures and to examine whether federal agencies missed warning signs or mishandled earlier investigations. Possible lines of questioning for the Clintons include the extent of Epstein’s ties to the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative. The released files have also prompted investigations into other prominent individuals, including Britain’s Duke of York.
Political and legal analysts note that congressional depositions do not inherently indicate criminal liability but can shape legislative recommendations or referrals. Some legal experts view the Clintons’ cooperation as setting a precedent that could affect how future inquiries approach former presidents. While President Trump also socialized with Epstein in past decades, committee leadership has said current evidence does not implicate him. The inquiry remains active, with lawmakers indicating more witnesses may be called as they continue to review documents and interview subjects.
