EpsteinInvestigation – Clinton Denies Ties in House Deposition

EpsteinInvestigation –  Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told members of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee that she had no knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal conduct and does not remember ever meeting him. Her remarks came during a closed-door deposition held under subpoena as part of a broader congressional review into how federal authorities handled the Epstein case.

Clinton’s prepared statement, released before the session, was direct. She said she had never traveled on Epstein’s aircraft, visited any of his properties, or interacted with him in any setting. She maintained that she was unaware of any illegal activities connected to the financier.

Deposition Held Under Subpoena

The deposition was convened by the Republican-led committee examining the federal government’s investigation of Epstein, who was charged in 2019 with sex trafficking minors. Epstein died later that year while in custody at a New York detention facility. His associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, was subsequently convicted and is serving a federal prison sentence.

Lawmakers have argued that reviewing the handling of the investigation is necessary to ensure transparency and accountability. Clinton appeared after initially resisting the request to testify, prompting the committee to issue a subpoena compelling her attendance.

Clinton Criticizes Scope of Inquiry

In her opening remarks, Clinton questioned the purpose of her appearance. She said the committee was aware that she had no direct knowledge relevant to the case and accused members of using the deposition to shift focus from other political matters. According to her statement, the inquiry appeared aimed at shielding certain political interests rather than uncovering facts related to victims.

Clinton reiterated that she had already provided a sworn declaration in January and had no additional information to offer. She told reporters after the session that she had repeatedly stated she did not know Epstein and described the questioning as repetitive.

Leak of Photograph Raises Concerns

Tensions briefly escalated when an image taken during the closed-door proceeding surfaced online. House rules prohibit photography inside such sessions. Clinton later expressed concern over the incident, saying it raised questions about adherence to agreed-upon procedures.

Committee leaders have not publicly detailed how the photograph was taken or circulated, but the incident added to the contentious atmosphere surrounding the deposition.

Republicans and Democrats Clash

Representative James R. Comer, the Republican chairman of the committee, defended the investigation ahead of Clinton’s testimony. He rejected suggestions that the review was politically motivated, stating that the panel’s objective was to gather information and clarify outstanding questions. Comer also noted that Democrats had previously supported holding the Clintons in contempt of Congress after they declined to appear voluntarily.

Comer indicated that Republicans were not fully satisfied with Clinton’s responses and signaled plans for additional questioning when former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to testify.

Democratic members of the committee strongly criticized the proceedings. Representative Yassamin Ansari described the deposition as unproductive, while Representative Robert Garcia said Clinton had no knowledge of wrongdoing connected to Epstein.

Broader Push for Transparency

Clinton urged lawmakers to prioritize the release of investigative records and to question individuals more directly linked to the case. She argued that those most prominently referenced in available files should be called to testify.

At the same time, Senate Democrats announced efforts to safeguard Justice Department records related to the Epstein investigation. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said lawmakers would seek access to unredacted materials and hold officials accountable if evidence of misconduct emerged.

Epstein’s case has remained a subject of national scrutiny for years. After pleading guilty in 2008 to state charges involving the solicitation of a minor, he later faced federal charges over alleged sex trafficking. His death in custody intensified public demands for clarity about the investigation and the individuals connected to him.

Documents released under bipartisan transparency measures have referenced numerous high-profile figures. However, legal experts and lawmakers have emphasized that being named in such files does not, by itself, indicate criminal involvement.