Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton used her compelled appearance before a Republican-controlled congressional panel on Thursday to mount a forceful defense and to press President Donald Trump to answer questions under oath about his past connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Clinton told lawmakers she did not know about Epstein’s criminal conduct, did not remember ever crossing paths with him, and had never traveled to his private island or boarded his aircraft. She accused the committee of selectively targeting political opponents while shielding Trump from scrutiny.
The hearing was conducted by the House Oversight Committee, chaired by Republican Congressman James Comer. Comer said the inquiry is intended to shed light on various aspects of Epstein’s activities and associations. The panel is also set to question former President Bill Clinton.
Challenging the direction of the probe, Hillary Clinton argued that if lawmakers genuinely sought answers about Epstein’s trafficking operation, they would summon Trump to testify directly. She referenced the frequency of Trump’s name appearing in released case documents and suggested that key questions remain unanswered.
The committee’s ranking Democrat, Robert Garcia, backed that demand, stating that Trump should respond to concerns raised nationwide, particularly by survivors seeking accountability. He added that such testimony should occur without delay.
Another Democratic member, Suhas Subramanyam, claimed that certain FBI records connected to Epstein have not been fully disclosed and may contain serious allegations. However, no additional documentation was presented during the session to support that assertion.
The Republican-led investigation is examining individuals who had past links to Epstein, who died in a New York detention facility in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide. Epstein’s longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, is currently serving a 20-year prison term following her conviction on sex trafficking-related offenses.
Initially, the Clintons resisted congressional subpoenas compelling their testimony. They later agreed to appear after House Republicans signaled they were prepared to pursue contempt of Congress proceedings.
In her opening remarks, Hillary Clinton said the committee justified its subpoena based on the belief that she possessed information related to investigations into Epstein and Maxwell. “Let me be as clear as I can. I do not,” she stated firmly.
Proceedings were briefly interrupted after an image from the closed-door deposition surfaced online, prompting objections from Democrats who accused Republicans of violating committee rules regarding confidentiality.
Democratic lawmakers argue that the probe is being used as a political tool to discredit Trump’s opponents rather than to conduct impartial oversight. Republicans, however, maintain that the investigation seeks to understand the breadth of Epstein’s network and determine whether any misconduct has gone unexamined.
Recently released government documents tied to the Epstein case prominently reference both Trump and Bill Clinton. Still, legal analysts emphasize that inclusion in investigative files does not constitute proof of criminal wrongdoing. Both men have previously said they distanced themselves from Epstein years before his 2008 conviction in Florida on state-level charges.
The depositions are taking place in Chappaqua, New York, where the Clintons reside. The quiet suburban community has seen a surge in media presence, with journalists gathering outside the venue and security measures heightened around the location.
Some demonstrators assembled nearby, expressing mixed views about the proceedings. While a few defended Congress’s authority to investigate, others criticized what they viewed as politically motivated theatrics.
Bill Clinton has acknowledged flying on Epstein’s private jet multiple times in the early 2000s for work connected to the Clinton Foundation’s humanitarian initiatives. He has consistently denied ever visiting Epstein’s private Caribbean island.
Earlier this month, Maxwell appeared before the House Oversight Committee via video link but declined to answer questions, invoking her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
Epstein was known for cultivating relationships with influential figures across politics, business, academia, and entertainment. The gradual release of case files has triggered renewed scrutiny of high-profile individuals around the world.
As congressional hearings continue, the political ramifications remain significant, with Democrats and Republicans sharply divided over whether the investigation is a pursuit of accountability or a partisan battleground.
What You Should Know
Hillary Clinton testified before the House Oversight Committee and denied having any knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes.
She called on Donald Trump to testify under oath regarding his alleged connections to Epstein.
Republicans insist the investigation is aimed at uncovering the scope of Epstein’s network, while Democrats argue it is politically driven.
Although both Trump and Bill Clinton appear in released Epstein-related documents, legal experts stress that being mentioned does not amount to evidence of wrongdoing.
