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Bill and Hillary Clinton to Testify in Congress Epstein Probe

Bill and Hillary Clinton to Testify in Congress Epstein Probe

Sarah MitchellSarah Mitchell
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Bill and Hillary Clinton to Testify in Congress Epstein Probe

Former US President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will testify in a congressional investigation into the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, a staffer said on Monday, heading off a potential vote to hold the couple in contempt of Congress. The move could avert a Republican-led House vote to hold the two Democrats in contempt, potentially exposing them to criminal charges. The Clintons had originally refused to appear before lawmakers examining how authorities handled earlier investigations into the disgraced financier.

Key Points

  • Bill and Hillary Clinton will testify in a congressional investigation into Jeffrey Epstein
  • The testimony could avert a Republican-led House vote to hold the couple in contempt of Congress
  • The Clintons had originally refused to appear before lawmakers, but agreed to testify after facing potential contempt charges
  • The House Oversight Committee had advanced resolutions accusing the Clintons of defying subpoenas to appear in person
  • The investigation is part of a broader probe into how authorities handled earlier investigations into Epstein
  • Epstein died in custody in 2019, but his associates, including Ghislaine Maxwell, have been convicted of sex trafficking
  • The Clintons have submitted sworn written statements describing their knowledge of Epstein and Maxwell
  • Bill Clinton acknowledged flying on Epstein's plane for Clinton Foundation-related humanitarian work, but said he never visited his private island
  • Hillary Clinton said she had no meaningful interactions with Epstein, never flew on his plane, and never visited his island

Background

The Epstein affair has cast a long shadow over Washington, entangling some of the most prominent names in US politics and highlighting the sharp partisan battles that have shaped the scandal. The investigation into Epstein's activities has been ongoing for years, with many of his associates, including Ghislaine Maxwell, being convicted of sex trafficking. The Clintons have been accused of having links to Epstein, including Bill Clinton's use of his private jet in the early 2000s. However, neither Trump nor the Clintons have been accused of criminal wrongdoing related to Epstein's activities. The Justice Department released the final batch of files related to the investigation into Epstein last week, offering fresh insights into how former President Bill Clinton's staff communicated with Epstein and Maxwell. According to Source 6: With contempt vote looming, here's what Epstein documents say about the Clintons, the documents reveal that Clinton's staff had frequent contact with Epstein and Maxwell. The Source 11: Former US President Bill Clinton, wife Hillary to testify in probe linked to Jeffrey Epstein also reported that the Clintons had agreed to testify in the congressional investigation into Epstein. Additionally, Source 10: Bill and Hillary Clinton to testify before Congress in Epstein probe stated that the move could avert a Republican-led House vote to hold the two Democrats in contempt of Congress. The Source 9: Clintons reverse course, agree to testify to Congress as part of Epstein probe also noted that the Clintons had reversed their decision to testify after facing potential contempt charges.

The investigation into Epstein's activities has been marked by sharp partisan battles, with Democrats accusing Republicans of using the probe to attack their political opponents. Source 5: Clintons try to reach agreement for Epstein testimony before contempt of Congress vote reported that the Clintons were trying to reach a deal to testify before Congress about Epstein. The Source 8: Bill and Hillary Clinton now agree to testify before Congress also stated that the Clintons had agreed to testify before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The Source 7: Bill, Hillary Clinton to testify on Jeffrey Epstein relationship — cave to Comer ahead of contempt vote noted that the Clintons had caved to House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer's demand that they testify before the panel about their relationships with Epstein and Maxwell.

Analysis

The decision by the Clintons to testify in the congressional investigation into Epstein is a significant development in the probe. The move could help to shed more light on the nature of their relationships with Epstein and Maxwell, and could potentially lead to further revelations about the handling of earlier investigations into Epstein. According to Source 4: Clintons capitulate and agree to testify in Epstein probe, the Clintons had initially refused to testify, but agreed to do so after facing potential contempt charges. The Source 3: Clintons agree to testify after House threatens contempt in Jeffrey Epstein probe also reported that the House had threatened to hold the Clintons in contempt if they did not agree to testify. The investigation is likely to have significant implications for the Democratic Party, and could potentially damage the reputations of the Clintons and other prominent Democrats who have been linked to Epstein. The Source 2: Bill and Hillary Clinton to testify to congressional Epstein probe noted that the investigation could also have implications for the Republican Party, as some Republicans have also been linked to Epstein.

What's Next

The testimony of the Clintons is likely to be a significant moment in the investigation into Epstein. The hearing will provide an opportunity for lawmakers to question the Clintons about their relationships with Epstein and Maxwell, and could potentially lead to further revelations about the handling of earlier investigations into Epstein. According to Source 1: Bill and Hillary Clinton agree to testify in House Epstein probe ahead of contempt vote, the hearing will be held in the coming weeks, and will be broadcast live on television. The Source 12: Clintons reverse course, agree to testify in House Epstein inquiry also noted that the hearing will be an important moment in the investigation, and could potentially lead to further developments in the probe.

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