The Clintons Call MAGA’s Bluff as Epstein Files Fallout Grows

Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have called what many Democrats describe as a political bluff by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans, after GOP leaders attempted to deflect attention from the explosive partial release of the Epstein files by threatening to subpoena the Clintons.

Republicans aligned with Trump had suggested holding the Clintons in contempt of Congress if they refused to appear for closed-door depositions before the House Oversight Committee. Instead, the Clintons responded with a move that sharply changed the political calculus: they agreed to testify — but only in public hearings.

In a letter sent to House Oversight Chair James Comer, the Clintons proposed specific dates. Hillary Clinton offered to testify on February 26, followed by Bill Clinton on February 27. Their condition was clear: the hearings must be open to the public.

“Though you have notably never asked the Clintons to appear in an open hearing, we now believe that will best suit our concerns about fairness,” the letter stated.

The Clintons argue that private depositions would allow Republicans to selectively leak or misrepresent testimony, while public hearings would ensure transparency as the Epstein investigation unfolds.

The timing is significant. The partial Epstein file release — roughly 3 million documents — has already raised serious questions. According to reporting cited by Democratic lawmakers, the released files contain approximately 38,000 references to Donald Trump. Advocates for full disclosure believe millions more documents remain unreleased, with estimates ranging from another 3 million documents to as many as 50 million pages potentially still concealed or heavily redacted by the Department of Justice.

Democrats argue that the redactions themselves may be shielding politically damaging information, including material that could further implicate Trump.

Previously, Chair James Comer claimed Republicans had not heard from the Clintons and threatened contempt proceedings. However, the Clintons’ public offer to testify undermines that narrative and places pressure squarely back on Republican leadership to explain why they prefer closed-door proceedings.

The Clintons have also reiterated their support for full transparency, citing the Epstein File Transparency Act and calling on President Trump to direct Attorney General Pam Bondi to release all remaining Epstein-related materials, including any documents that reference or include photographs of Bill Clinton — without redactions.

Democratic lawmakers say the controversy exposes a broader accountability problem within the Trump-aligned House majority. While the Clintons are offering sworn public testimony, Trump himself has not agreed to testify, despite his name appearing repeatedly in the Epstein records.

“This is what accountability looks like,” said Democratic members of Congress. “If you believe you are innocent, you testify — in public, under oath.”

The decision now rests with Chairman Comer. Whether Republicans accept a public hearing or retreat from their earlier threats may determine whether the Epstein investigation proceeds with transparency — or becomes yet another partisan spectacle.