Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify in an investigation related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to the New York Times (NYT).
The Clintons had resisted appearing before the committee for months, asserting that the summons from House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer was invalid and unenforceable. Their agreement comes after some Democrats on the committee joined Republicans in recommending they be held in contempt of Congress.
A Win for Republicans
The former presidential couple reportedly attempted to negotiate with the Oversight Committee behind closed doors in recent days, seeking a way for Comer to withdraw the subpoena. According to the New York Times, these negotiations ultimately failed. A representative for the Clintons stated, “They negotiated in good faith. You didn’t,” referring to Comer.
The New York Times reports that the Clintons’ agreement to appear is a victory for Comer, as Republicans have sought to shift the focus of the investigation away from actions taken by the administration and toward the relationship between former President Donald Trump and Epstein.
Hillary Clinton has stated she has never met or spoken with Epstein. Bill Clinton was friends with Epstein in the 1990s and 2000s, but has said he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the Clintons to agree to testify?
The Clintons agreed to testify after a portion of the committee’s Democrats joined Republicans in recommending they be held in contempt of Congress, according to the New York Times.
What is the focus of the investigation?
The investigation concerns connections to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. Republicans have also sought to investigate the relationship between Donald Trump and Epstein, though the Clintons claim the investigation is an attempt to protect Trump.
What have the Clintons said about their involvement with Epstein?
Hillary Clinton states she has never met or spoken with Epstein. Bill Clinton admits to being friends with Epstein in the past but claims he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal activities.
What impact will this testimony have on the ongoing investigations and public perception of those involved?
