Former US President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify before the US House of Representatives as part of an investigation into the handling of past probes involving disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The decision comes amid renewed political controversy surrounding the Epstein case, which continues to roil Washington and deepen partisan divisions. Lawmakers are examining how authorities investigated Epstein before his death in federal custody in 2019.
Meanwhile, a federal court is set to hear arguments on Wednesday seeking to block public access to recently released Epstein-related investigative files. According to the New York Times, victims have complained that their names and personal details were not properly redacted.
The Justice Department last week released what it described as the final batch of documents, photos, and videos connected to Epstein. However, lawyers for victims said the release exposed sensitive information, including an email listing 32 minor victims with only one name redacted, as well as a woman’s full home address.
Attorneys Brad Edwards and Brittany Henderson asked the court to order an immediate takedown of the files from the government website. District Judge Richard M. Berman said he would hold a hearing on the matter, noting uncertainty over how much relief the court could provide.
On Sunday, the Justice Department said it was working to make additional redactions after journalists identified dozens of explicit images that showed identifiable faces. Many of those images have since been removed or obscured, the Times reported.
The House Rules Committee had earlier advanced resolutions accusing the Clintons of defying subpoenas by refusing to testify in person. However, after the couple agreed to appear, the committee suspended contempt proceedings.
A spokesman for Bill Clinton said on X that both Clintons would testify and welcomed what he described as a precedent that should apply universally. Democrats argue the investigation is being used to target political opponents of President Donald Trump, who had past associations with Epstein but has not been called to testify.
Neither Trump nor the Clintons have been accused of criminal wrongdoing related to Epstein. Republicans, however, say Bill Clinton’s past travel on Epstein’s private jet warrants sworn, in-person testimony.
Both Clintons had initially submitted written statements under oath. Bill Clinton confirmed flying on Epstein’s plane for humanitarian work connected to the Clinton Foundation but denied visiting Epstein’s private island. Hillary Clinton said she had no significant contact with Epstein and never flew on his aircraft or visited the island.
