Clintons Depositions Epstein House Oversight Committee

So basically the whole thing came down to this—the Clintons finally caved. After months of pushing back and refusing to comply with subpoenas, Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton agreed to sit for depositions regarding their potential connections to Jeffrey Epstein. House Oversight Chairman James Comer announced the dates and honestly, it's a big deal because they'd been resisting hard for so long. Hillary Clinton is scheduled for February 26, Bill Clinton the next day on February 27. These depositions are happening later this month no matter what.

The thing that actually got them to agree was basically the threat of contempt charges. Republicans had already voted to advance two bipartisan contempt resolutions last month, and Comer set a noon deadline Tuesday for the Clintons to accept his terms. If they didn't, Republicans were gonna move forward with contempt proceedings. That's when the Clintons' legal team suddenly got more cooperative. Their attorney Jon Skladany reached out, and negotiations shifted pretty quickly after that.

What's interesting though is the whole public versus private hearing fight. The Clintons kept insisting they wanted public hearings where cameras could be present. Nick Merrill, their spokesperson, posted on X saying basically bring all the cameras you want, they'd do it publicly. But that's not happening. Comer wanted depositions—recorded, transcribed, but closed-door. Congressional deposition rules explicitly require transcription and may require video recording anyway. The rules are clear on that point.

The Epstein Inquiry and What's Actually Being Investigated

So Chairman Comer framed this whole thing as getting answers about Epstein's crimes. He wrote in a statement that they want "transparency and accountability for the American people and for survivors." But here's the thing—and this is important—neither Bill Clinton nor Hillary Clinton has actually been accused of any wrongdoing. Neither one has been linked to Epstein's crimes directly. No survivor or associate of Epstein has ever made public allegations against either of them.

The Clintons depositions Epstein investigation started basically because Republican leadership wanted to question them. Whether they actually have relevant information is a different story. Both the former president and former secretary of state have consistently denied having any knowledge of Epstein's crimes. They're not suspects or defendants. They're just being subpoenaed as witnesses potentially.

The congressional investigation into Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell involves looking at connections and conduct. But going after the Clintons specifically—that's been pretty controversial. Republicans argue they need to comply with congressional authority. The Clintons' side argues the subpoenas lacked legal merit and that this whole thing is politically motivated. The Clintons depositions Epstein matter became this partisan battle basically.

The Location Drama and Negotiation Details

This negotiation had all these little details that people were fighting over. The Clintons wanted the depositions in New York City. Republicans said the location was TBD. A Republican aide confirmed the depositions would be behind closed doors, not public hearings. Skladany's letter asked for the specific date and time once Comer made a final decision. It was all pretty tense and formal honestly.

Comer was pretty blunt about things. He said the Clintons "completely caved" which is classic political language. He wanted it known that Republicans had successfully pressured them into compliance. The spokesman Angel Ureña fired back on X, saying the Clintons "negotiated in good faith" and that they'd appear but that Republicans "did not" negotiate fairly. It was the usual back and forth between the two sides.

The whole depositions thing—it's technically legal. Congress has the power to subpoena people. The rules about transcription and video recording are part of standard congressional procedure. But the Clintons depositions Epstein case became this political flashpoint anyway. Contempt resolutions got voted on. Deadlines were set. Negotiations happened. And now it's happening this month.

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FAQ's

Q1: Wait, so when exactly are these depositions?

Hillary's up on February 26, Bill on February 27. They agreed to it after Comer basically gave them an ultimatum. Contempt charges were coming if they didn't comply by Tuesday's deadline, and that got them to agree pretty fast honestly.

Q2: Why did they fight this so hard if they're not accused of anything?

The Clintons' legal team claimed the subpoenas didn't have legal standing. They wanted public hearings instead of closed-door depositions. Whether that's genuine legal concern or political positioning—people have different takes on that depending on their politics basically.

Q3: Is this investigation going after the Clintons directly?

Not really. No survivor or associate has made allegations against them. They're being called as witnesses potentially about what they might know regarding Epstein's conduct. Neither one has been accused of wrongdoing. Republicans just wanted to question them about possible connections.

Q4: So why's the Republican side pushing so hard on this?

Comer wanted compliance with congressional authority and answers about Epstein's networks. Republicans framed it as accountability for survivors. The Clintons' side says it's politically motivated and a waste of time since they deny knowledge of any crimes anyway.

Q5: Aren't these supposed to be public if Congress is investigating?

That's what the Clintons wanted. But congressional deposition rules require transcription and allow video recording but don't mandate public proceedings. Comer chose closed-door depositions over public hearings, and the Clintons eventually accepted that once contempt charges got threatened basically.