Washington, 03 February (H.S.):

Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton acquiesced on Monday, to testify before a U.S. House probe into their associations with the late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, averting contempt citations via spokesman Angel Urena's avowal on X that they look forward to setting a precedent that applies to everyone.

Subpoena Standoff Averted: From Refusal to Reluctant Accord

The duo had rebuffed in-person summonses from the House Rules Committee—advanced toward contempt resolutions—contending the writs lacked legislative warrant, supplanting sworn affidavits wherein Bill acknowledged Epstein jet voyages for Clinton Foundation philanthropy sans Little St. James sojourns, while Hillary disavowed substantive congress, aviation, or island dalliances.

Republicans, decrying Democratic prevarication amid Bill's early-2000s Lolita Express jaunts and Epstein's elite nexus, parried that sworn explication justified scrutiny, as Democrats impugned the inquiry as Trump contrivance—despite the incumbent's Epstein camaraderie evading subpoena.

Partisan Precipice: Divisions and Broader Shadows

The capitulation forestalls intraparty Democratic fissures, some conceding universal accountability imperatives, others wary of diverting scrutiny from Trump's Epstein entwinements, as the Justice Department's terminal Epstein dossier tranche—unleashed last week—prolongs Washington's partisan maelstrom encompassing Peter Mandelson's travails, Sarah Ferguson's progeny intimations, and Donald Trump's litigious ripostes.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar