Former US President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will testify before a US House investigation examining the handling of cases linked to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a spokesman for the ex-president confirmed, effectively averting a possible vote to hold the couple in contempt of Congress.
The Epstein scandal continues to loom large in Washington, drawing in some of the most influential figures in American politics and underscoring the deep partisan divisions that now define the controversy.
At the same time, a US court is expected to hear arguments on Wednesday seeking to restrict public access to investigative files connected to Epstein, according to a report by the New York Times, after victims complained that their identities were improperly disclosed.
The Justice Department last week released what it described as the final tranche of documents, photographs, and videos from the Epstein files, further intensifying political pressure on President Donald Trump. However, the release quickly triggered criticism after lawyers said the department failed to adequately anonymise sensitive information.
According to correspondence cited by the Times, attorneys Brad Edwards and Brittany Henderson of the Florida-based firm Edwards Henderson told the court that an email contained in the documents “listing 32 minor child victims, with only one name redacted and 31 left visible.”
Another woman reportedly said her full residential address was also published without redaction.
The lawyers called for an “immediate takedown” of the government-hosted website displaying the files.
In a brief order, District Judge Richard M. Berman said a hearing would be held on Wednesday, adding, “I am not certain how helpful I can be.”
On Sunday, the Justice Department said it was “working around the clock” to apply additional redactions after New York Times journalists identified dozens of nude photographs that showed people’s faces. The newspaper later reported that most of those images had since been removed or obscured.
The House Rules Committee had earlier advanced resolutions accusing the Clintons of defying subpoenas that demanded their in-person testimony over their past associations with Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019.
Initially, the couple declined to appear before lawmakers probing how authorities handled earlier investigations into Epstein, who maintained relationships with leading figures in business, politics, academia and entertainment.
However, Clinton spokesman Angel Urena later wrote on X that “the former President and former Secretary of State will be there. They look forward to setting a precedent that applies to everyone.”
Democrats have argued that the inquiry is being used as a political weapon against perceived opponents of Trump, noting that the president himself, a longtime associate of Epstein, has not been summoned to testify.
Trump spent months attempting to block the release of Epstein-related investigative materials, despite the financier’s long history of cultivating ties within elite circles.
Neither Trump nor the Clintons have been formally accused of criminal conduct in relation to Epstein.
In their earlier letters declining to testify, the Clintons maintained that the subpoenas were invalid because they lacked a clearly defined legislative purpose.
Republicans, however, insist that Bill Clinton’s documented connections to Epstein, including his use of Epstein’s private jet in the early 2000s, justify questioning under oath.
Instead of appearing in person at the time, both Clintons submitted sworn written statements outlining their knowledge of Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking.
Bill Clinton acknowledged that he flew on Epstein’s aircraft during humanitarian trips linked to the Clinton Foundation but said he never visited Epstein’s private island.
Hillary Clinton stated that she had no substantive relationship with Epstein, never boarded his plane, and never travelled to his island.
Following confirmation that the Clintons would testify, the House Rules Committee on Monday evening suspended plans to proceed with contempt votes.
What you should know
The Epstein investigation remains one of the most politically sensitive scandals in the US, involving powerful figures across party lines.
While the Clintons have now agreed to testify, debates continue over whether the probe is a legitimate oversight exercise or a partisan tool. The controversy has also exposed serious concerns about victim privacy, after sensitive information was released without proper redaction.
Court intervention could shape how such materials are handled going forward, setting standards for transparency, accountability and victim protection.
