Bill Clinton Demands Public Hearing Over Epstein Files Investigation

The former president says his attempts at transparency have not appeased Republican lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 8:55pm

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Bill Clinton is calling for his upcoming filmed deposition before the House Oversight Committee's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein to be a public hearing, so the "American people can see for themselves what this is really about." Clinton says he has already "called for the full release" of the Epstein files and "provided a sworn statement of what I know" to the Committee, but that his attempts at transparency have not appeased the Republicans on the Committee.

Why it matters

The House Oversight Committee's investigation into Epstein has become a politically charged issue, with the Clintons accusing the Republican-led committee of using them as "props in a closed-door kangaroo court." Clinton's demand for a public hearing reflects the high stakes and partisan nature of the probe into Epstein's connections to powerful individuals.

The details

In August 2025, the House Oversight Committee called Bill and Hillary Clinton to testify in the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. In January, they wrote a public letter saying they would not testify, but the committee's chairman, James Comer, held a vote to hold them in criminal contempt if they didn't testify. Both then agreed, but in recent days, they called for a public hearing rather than a filmed closed-door deposition.

  • In August 2025, the House Oversight Committee called Bill and Hillary Clinton to testify.
  • In January, the Clintons wrote a public letter saying they would not testify.
  • In January, the committee's chairman, James Comer, held a vote to hold the Clintons in criminal contempt if they didn't testify.
  • In recent days, the Clintons called for a public hearing rather than a filmed closed-door deposition.
  • Hillary is scheduled to testify on Feb. 26, and Bill is to testify on Feb. 27.

The players

Bill Clinton

The former president of the United States.

Hillary Clinton

The former U.S. Secretary of State and former First Lady.

James Comer

The chairman of the House Oversight Committee, which is investigating Jeffrey Epstein.

Jeffrey Epstein

The late financier who was convicted of sex trafficking minors.

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What they’re saying

“Who benefits from this arrangement? It's not Epstein's victims, who deserve justice. Not the public, who deserve the truth. It serves only partisan interests. This is not fact-finding, it's pure politics.”

— Bill Clinton

“If you want this fight, @RepJamesComer, let's have it—in public. You love to talk about transparency. There's nothing more transparent than a public hearing, cameras on.”

— Hillary Clinton

What’s next

The House Oversight Committee will decide whether to grant the Clintons' request for a public hearing or proceed with the planned closed-door depositions.

The takeaway

The Clintons' demand for a public hearing reflects the highly charged political nature of the House Oversight Committee's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's connections to powerful individuals. The outcome of this dispute could have significant implications for the transparency and credibility of the probe.