• Bill and Hillary Clinton are scheduled to testify before the House Oversight Committee regarding Jeffrey Epstein.
• Their depositions are in response to congressional subpoenas amid accusations of political motivations.
• No wrongdoing has been alleged against either Clinton in connection with Epstein.
• Hillary Clinton claims the depositions aim to shift focus away from Trump's ties to Epstein.
• Closed-door depositions are set to occur in Chappaqua, New York, with potential public hearings following.

Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are set to appear before the House Oversight Committee as part of the investigation into the late Jeffrey Epstein's extensive criminal network. Hillary is scheduled to testify on February 26, followed by Bill on February 27, both in Chappaqua, New York, their home. The decision to testify comes after a contentious exchange with the committee, which had threatened contempt votes against them for noncompliance with subpoenas, according to Al Jazeera.

The Clintons had initially resisted the subpoenas, arguing they were politically motivated efforts to distract from former President Donald Trump's connections to Epstein. As they agreed to testify, both have maintained their innocence, insisting that no accusations of wrongdoing have been made against them in connection with Epstein. "We just have a lot of questions," said James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, emphasizing the committee's commitment to accountability related to Epstein's activities, according to CBS News and Reuters.

Previous interactions between Bill Clinton and Epstein include flights on Epstein's private plane, which Clinton claims were for humanitarian work through the Clinton Foundation. The former president has expressed his surprise upon learning about Epstein's criminal acts only through the media, denying any prior knowledge. Contrarily, Hillary Clinton claims she has little to contribute to the inquiry, expressing concerns that the hearings are designed to deflect attention from Trump’s relationship with Epstein, according to Los Angeles Times and Reuters.

While the depositions will take place behind closed doors, results may be made public, and it is anticipated that a follow-up public hearing could ensue. The committee composition during the session includes members from both parties, signaling bipartisan interest in the investigation. The effort aims to uncover the extent of Epstein's network, highlighted by Comer's assertion regarding the critical role of the Clintons' testimonies in understanding Epstein's influence and operations, according to Los Angeles Times and CBS News.

In response to the situation, the Clintons have criticized the handling of the inquiry, with Hillary stating during a recent BBC interview that the Republicans are using this investigation to shift focus from Trump's ties to Epstein. They reiterated their readiness to fully cooperate, emphasizing their goal to clear any misperceptions regarding their involvement, as added by Los Angeles Times and Reuters.