Hillary Clinton Confronts Oversight Panel as Epstein Probe Reignites Partisan Clash
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appeared before the Republican-led House Oversight Committee on Thursday for a closed-door deposition linked to the long-running investigation into disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The session briefly descended into controversy after an image from inside the room was leaked, prompting a temporary pause in proceedings.
Testimony Interrupted by Photo Leak
The deposition was halted after Republican Representative Lauren Boebert shared a photograph taken inside the closed session with a conservative commentator, who later posted it online.
Committee rules prohibit photography during depositions. Boebert later confirmed sharing the image, describing it as taken before questioning formally began. The hearing resumed shortly afterward.
Clinton’s legal team had earlier pushed for a public hearing, but the committee opted for a private deposition, with transcripts expected to be released later.
Clinton Denies Any Link to Epstein
In her opening statement, Clinton rejected any suggestion that she had knowledge of Epstein’s criminal conduct.
She reiterated that she does not recall ever meeting or speaking with him, nor traveling on his plane or visiting his properties.
“As I have stated under oath before, I had no idea about his criminal activities,” she said, adding that she has “nothing to add” beyond her prior sworn declaration.
Epstein, who was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges in 2019, died later that year while in custody. His associate Ghislaine Maxwell was subsequently convicted on related charges.
There is no evidence that merely appearing in investigative documents tied to Epstein implies wrongdoing.
Accusations of Political Motives
Clinton sharply criticized the Oversight Committee, accusing it of staging what she called “partisan political theater.”
She argued that the focus on her was designed to deflect scrutiny from others more prominently mentioned in the Epstein files.
She specifically called on the committee to subpoena President Donald Trump, asserting that if lawmakers are serious about uncovering the full scope of Epstein’s network, they should question anyone appearing frequently in the records under oath.
Committee Republicans have denied that the deposition is politically motivated, saying their inquiry aims to determine how Epstein amassed his wealth and cultivated ties with influential figures.
Bill Clinton to Appear Next
Former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to testify before the committee on Friday.
He has previously acknowledged traveling on Epstein’s plane in the early 2000s for charitable initiatives connected to the Clinton Foundation, but has consistently denied knowledge of or involvement in any criminal activity.
Broader Political Stakes
The hearing marks another chapter in a decades-long political saga involving the Clintons, whose public careers have frequently intersected with congressional investigations.
While Hillary Clinton holds no public office, her testimony underscores the continued political sensitivity surrounding the Epstein case and the high-profile figures once associated with him.
Lawmakers from both parties are expected to provide periodic updates as the deposition continues, with transcripts likely to draw intense public scrutiny once released.
Additional Points
Why Is Clinton Being Deposed?
Clinton has not been charged with any crime, nor has she been formally accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.
The Republican-led committee says it is seeking testimony from individuals whose names appear in documents linked to Epstein or who were part of prominent political networks during the period under scrutiny.
Lawmakers say their inquiry aims to understand how Epstein built relationships with influential figures and whether institutions failed to act despite warning signs.
Democrats on the panel, however, argue that there is no evidence tying Clinton to Epstein’s criminal conduct and describe the move as politically motivated.
What Clinton Told Lawmakers
In her opening statement, Clinton said she had no knowledge of Epstein’s illegal activities and does not recall ever meeting or communicating with him. She stated that she never traveled on his aircraft or visited his properties.
Epstein, who faced federal sex trafficking charges in 2019, died later that year in custody. His longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell was later convicted on related charges. There is no indication that simply appearing in investigative files connected to Epstein constitutes wrongdoing.
A Brief Disruption Inside the Hearing
The deposition was temporarily halted after Republican Representative Lauren Boebert shared a photograph from inside the closed session with a conservative commentator, who then posted it online.
Committee rules generally restrict photography during depositions. Boebert said the image was taken before formal questioning began and that no rules were broken. The committee resumed proceedings after a short pause.
Claims of Partisanship
Clinton criticized the committee’s approach, accusing it of engaging in “partisan political theater.” She called on lawmakers to question others who appear more frequently in Epstein-related records, including President Donald Trump, if they are serious about uncovering the full scope of the case.
Republican members reject the claim of political bias and say their investigation is focused on transparency and accountability.
Bill Clinton Set to Testify
Former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to appear before the committee next. He has previously acknowledged traveling on Epstein’s plane in the early 2000s for philanthropic work but has denied any knowledge of criminal activity. He has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection with the case.
Political and Public Implications
Although Hillary Clinton currently holds no public office, her appearance highlights the continuing political sensitivity surrounding the Epstein investigation.
Lawmakers are expected to release transcripts of the closed-door testimony, which could reignite public debate over the extent of Epstein’s connections to powerful figures across party lines.
For now, the deposition underscores how the Epstein case continues to cast a shadow over American political life, even years after his death.
