Epstein case: Hillary and Bill Clinton to testify in House

Former US President Bill Clinton and erstwhile Secretary of State Hillary Clinton person agreed to attest earlier the location oversight committee arsenic portion of its probe into convicted enactment offender Jeffrey Epstein, aft Republican lawmakers moved toward holding them successful transgression contempt of Congress.House oversight committee seat Republican typical James Comer said precocious Monday that attorneys for the Clintons had informed committee unit that some would comply with the subpoenas and “will look for depositions connected mutually agreeable dates.” However, Comer said nary last statement had been reached and that contempt proceedings were inactive connected the table.“We don't person thing successful writing,” Comer told reporters, adding that portion helium was unfastened to accepting the offer, “it depends connected what they say.”The last-minute talks came arsenic Republican leaders precocious contempt resolutions done the location rules committee, the last measurement earlier a ballot connected the location floor. If approved and prosecuted by the section of justice, transgression contempt charges could transportation penalties including fines and imaginable jailhouse clip – an unprecedented measurement against a erstwhile president.Earlier connected Monday, Comer rejected a connection from the Clintons’ attorneys that would person allowed Bill Clinton to beryllium for a four-hour transcribed interrogation portion Hillary Clinton submitted a sworn written statement.

Comer insisted that some attest nether oath successful sworn depositions to conscionable the committee’s subpoenas.“The Clintons bash not get to dictate the presumption of lawful subpoenas,” Comer said.The oversight committee subpoenaed some Clintons successful August arsenic it launched its probe into Epstein and his associates. Their attorneys had challenged the validity of the subpoenas, but negotiations resumed aft Comer threatened contempt proceedings. The Republican-controlled sheet voted past period to beforehand transgression contempt charges, with 9 Democrats joining Republicans successful backing the determination against Bill Clinton, and 3 Democrats supporting the complaint against Hillary Clinton.Republicans person renewed scrutiny of Bill Clinton’s past relation with Epstein, who died by termination successful a New York jailhouse successful 2019 portion facing national enactment trafficking charges.

Clinton’s interactions with Epstein successful the precocious 1990s and aboriginal 2000s person been documented, though helium has not been accused of wrongdoing.The Clintons person criticised Comer’s handling of the investigation, accusing him of politicising the probe portion failing to property the Trump medication implicit delays successful releasing Justice Department files related to Epstein.“They negotiated successful bully faith. You did not,” Clinton spokesperson Angel Ureña said.

“They told you nether oath what they know, but you don’t care.”House Democratic person Hakeem Jeffries said his caucus would sermon the contempt resolutions aboriginal this week but made wide his opposition. Jeffries said helium was a “hard no” connected contempt and accused Republicans of pursuing governmental retribution alternatively than addressing the delayed merchandise of Epstein-related records.“They don’t privation a superior interview, they privation a charade,” Jeffries said.Historically, Congress has shown deference to erstwhile presidents, nary of whom has ever been compelled to attest earlier lawmakers, though immoderate person done truthful voluntarily. (With inputs from agencies)