Clintons Schedule Depositions in House Epstein Inquiry, Halting Contempt Proceedings
Published Date: 4th Feb, 2026
February 04, 2026
Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have consented to sit for depositions before the House Oversight Committee as part of its ongoing investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's activities and connections. The agreement, reached late Monday, prevents a scheduled House vote on contempt of Congress charges that could have advanced as early as Wednesday.
Hillary Clinton is set to testify on February 26, followed by Bill Clinton on February 27. Both sessions will be transcribed and recorded on video, meeting the committee's demands after months of legal back-and-forth over the original subpoenas issued in August 2025.
Committee Chairman Declares Victory for Oversight
House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) announced the development in a statement, calling it a direct result of sustained pressure. "The threat of contempt forced compliance," Comer said. "The American people deserve answers about Epstein's network, and the Clintons will now provide them under oath."
The committee had secured preliminary bipartisan support to move contempt resolutions forward, a step that would have referred the matter to the Justice Department for potential prosecution. That process is now on hold pending the scheduled testimony.
Attorneys for the Clintons confirmed the arrangement in correspondence with committee staff, requesting that all contempt-related actions be withdrawn. A spokesperson for the couple described the inquiry as politically driven but reiterated their willingness to cooperate fully once the dates were finalized.
Scope of the Investigation
The House probe, launched in 2025, examines federal handling of Epstein cases, including his 2008 Florida plea deal, the 2019 federal charges, and any awareness or involvement by prominent figures. Epstein, who died by suicide in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, maintained documented ties to numerous high-profile individuals, including multiple flights with Bill Clinton in the early 2000s on Epstein's private aircraft.
The Clintons have consistently maintained they had no knowledge of Epstein's criminal conduct. Bill Clinton's representatives have stated the flights related to Clinton Foundation initiatives and occurred well before Epstein's offenses became public. Hillary Clinton has had limited documented contact with Epstein and no allegations of wrongdoing in any released materials.
Depositions are expected to explore the nature and extent of any interactions with Epstein, awareness of his behavior, and any relevant communications or meetings. The committee has also subpoenaed other former officials, including ex-FBI Director James Comey and several past attorneys general.
Mixed Reactions and Next Steps
Some Democrats on the committee supported advancing contempt to compel testimony, while others, including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, criticized the focus on the Clintons as partisan theater and called for broader release of Justice Department documents. Victim advocacy organizations welcomed the development, viewing sworn testimony as a step toward greater transparency, though they urged sensitivity to avoid re-traumatizing survivors.
The arrangement averts the rare spectacle of Congress pursuing contempt against a former president, a precedent not seen in modern times. It also allows the committee to proceed with its work without immediate procedural roadblocks.
As the February deposition dates approach, public and media attention will intensify on what new information, if any, emerges from the Clintons' accounts. The sessions represent a significant moment in one of the most closely watched congressional inquiries in recent years, balancing demands for accountability with long-standing questions about Epstein's elite network.
Date: 4th Feb, 2026
