Hillary Clinton is scheduled to testify Thursday in a closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee, with former President Bill Clinton expected to appear Friday. The sessions will take place in Chappaqua, New York, near the Clintons’ home, following months of negotiations between their legal team and committee leadership.
Lawmakers voted last July to subpoena both Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton as part of Congress’s ongoing investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell. The inquiry has drawn bipartisan backing, with some Democrats joining Republicans in compelling testimony — a departure from the partisan divides that often shape Oversight Committee disputes.
Months of resistance and contempt vote
The Clintons had declined for months to appear for in-person questioning, arguing they had already provided sworn statements and relevant records. Their attorneys also challenged the subpoenas, contending they were not tied to a valid legislative purpose.
In January, the Oversight panel voted to hold both in contempt of Congress. Had the full House approved the measure, it would have triggered a criminal referral to the Justice Department.
Shortly after the committee advanced those resolutions, the Clintons agreed to sit for depositions under terms negotiated with Chairman James Comer. According to prior reporting, the former president and former secretary of state had sought to testify publicly, while Republican committee members insisted the sessions remain closed-door.
Comer said the committee plans to release video and transcripts once approved by the Clintons.
“We’ll publish the video and transcripts of the Clinton depositions just as quickly as the Clintons approve it, and go from there,” Comer told reporters.
Focus of the investigation
Members of both parties have said the investigation aims to better understand how Epstein gained access to prominent individuals, how he and Maxwell built networks of influence, and how federal authorities handled investigations into his activities.
Bill Clinton flew on Epstein’s private plane multiple times in the early 2000s and appears in photographs contained in files recently released by the Justice Department. He has not been accused by law enforcement of wrongdoing related to Epstein. A spokesperson has previously stated that Clinton ended contact with Epstein before his 2019 arrest and was unaware of criminal conduct.
Hillary Clinton has said she does not recall speaking with Epstein and has stated she met Maxwell only a handful of times.
Differing political perspectives
The inquiry has prompted debate among Democrats about its purpose and tone. Some argue the investigation risks becoming politically motivated.
“What the Epstein survivors have been asking for is both transparency and accountability. And what Republicans want to do is turn this into political theater,” Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández told reporters Wednesday.
Others within the party have said compliance with lawful congressional subpoenas should apply broadly to anyone connected to Epstein, regardless of political affiliation.
Next steps
The committee has indicated it plans to question additional current and former officials as the investigation continues. The Clintons’ testimony this week is expected to provide sworn accounts of their interactions with Epstein and their knowledge of his activities.
Once completed, the depositions may become part of the public record, depending on the review process and approvals referenced by committee leadership. Lawmakers from both parties have said they hope the inquiry will shed light on Epstein’s relationships and the broader institutional responses to allegations against him.
