A congressional oversight committee has issued formal deposition orders for former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as part of its ongoing inquiry into the activities of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The House Oversight Committee has mandated that the Clintons provide sworn testimony next month. This follows a subpoena issued in August by Committee Chairman James Comer, which sought to question the couple about their past associations with Epstein. Initial requests from the Clintons’ legal counsel to submit written statements instead of appearing in person were rejected by the committee.
In a recent communication, Chairman Comer emphasized that the committee’s interest lies precisely in the personal relationships the Clintons maintained with Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, outside of their official government duties. He stated that in-person testimony is crucial for the legislative oversight process, countering the legal team’s suggestion that a written summary would suffice.
David Kendall, an attorney representing the Clintons, previously acknowledged the public’s demand for transparency regarding Epstein’s crimes, which he described as “abhorrent.” He affirmed his clients’ willingness to cooperate with “legitimate oversight” but maintained they possess minimal relevant information, all of which could be provided in writing.
The deposition for Bill Clinton is scheduled for the morning of December 17, with Hillary Clinton’s to follow on December 18.
The committee’s approach has not been uniform. Other former officials subpoenaed in connection with the same probe, including former Attorneys General and an ex-FBI Director, were permitted to submit written statements after confirming they had no pertinent information.
The depositions mark a new phase in the congressional examination of Epstein’s trafficking network, focusing on the extent and nature of his connections with high-profile individuals.
