Former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (left) and former President Bill Clinton arrive at the west front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2017. Donald J. Trump will be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States at today’s Inauguration Ceremony.
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Former President Bill Clinton and 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton are scheduled to testify in the Congressional investigation into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, staff announced Monday.
The decision could halt a scheduled vote in the Republican-led House of Representatives on contempt charges against two leading Democratic lawmakers, potentially leading to criminal charges.
The House Oversight Committee last week recommended that he be held in contempt for refusing to testify about his relationship with Epstein. The Clintons had offered to cooperate with the panel but had refused to appear in person, arguing the investigation was a partisan exercise aimed at protecting Republican President Donald Trump.
“They said what they know under oath, never mind. But the former president and former secretary of state will also be there. They look forward to setting a precedent that applies to everyone,” Angel Urena, the Clintons’ chief of staff, said in a social media post.
House Speaker Mike Johnson welcomed the news but did not say whether Congress would withdraw its planned contempt vote.
“That’s a good development,” he said. “We expect everyone to comply with Congressional subpoenas.”
Bill Clinton flew on Epstein’s plane several times in the early 2000s after he left office. He expressed regret about the relationship and said he had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities.
