Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has begun testifying before the U.S. House of Representatives in Chappaqua, New York, as part of a congressional investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The closed-door deposition marks the start of two days of questioning that will also involve former President Bill Clinton.
First former president to testify
The depositions represent an unprecedented moment in U.S. history, with a former president being compelled to provide testimony to Congress. The Oversight Committee, led by Republican Rep. James Comer, has pursued sworn statements from the Clintons after previous offers were declined, threatening criminal contempt of Congress charges.
Hillary Clinton has said she is willing to provide what she knows, which she described as limited and unrelated to Epstein’s or Maxwell’s criminal activity. She confirmed she interacted with Ghislaine Maxwell at Clinton Foundation events but does not recall meeting Epstein directly. Bill Clinton, while photographed with Epstein on several occasions, has not been accused of wrongdoing.
Republican scrutiny
Republicans on the committee have focused on Bill Clinton, citing his travel with Epstein and his connections to Maxwell. Rep. Scott Perry said the investigation simply follows facts and that the Clintons’ previous associations brought them into the inquiry. Comer has also highlighted Hillary Clinton’s work as secretary of state addressing sex trafficking as a reason for her testimony.
Democratic stance
Democrats on the panel, led by Rep. Robert Garcia, are supporting transparency regarding Epstein while emphasising survivor rights. Garcia said both Republican and Democratic administrations failed to fully disclose information, and he intends to question the Clintons on Epstein’s possible connections to foreign governments. Senior Democrats, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have expressed that interviewing the Clintons is appropriate and necessary.
Background and context
The investigation examines why the Department of Justice under previous administrations did not pursue further federal charges against Epstein after his 2008 state plea deal in Florida. The Oversight Committee’s efforts have followed a broader push on Capitol Hill to hold public figures connected to Epstein accountable, despite widespread conspiracy theories surrounding the Clintons and Maxwell.
The Clinton depositions are part of a larger congressional focus on Epstein survivors, his associates, and the handling of his files by former presidential administrations, including that of Donald Trump.
Also read: US Justice Department accused of withholding Trump-related Epstein files
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