Jeffrey Epstein deposition: Hillary Clinton tells House she knew nothing of crimes

Hillary Clinton told the US House Oversight Committee in a closed-door deposition in Chappaqua, New York, that she had no knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell crimes and did not recall meeting Epstein. The depositions follow months of dispute with the Republican-led committee and will also include former President Bill Clinton.

Hillary Clinton told US House investigators that Clinton had no awareness of crimes by Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell. Clinton also said Clinton did not remember meeting Epstein. The remarks opened two days of closed-door depositions in Chappaqua, New York. The sessions were set to include former President Bill Clinton as well.

"I had no idea about their criminal activities. I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein,\" Hillary Clinton said in an opening statement shared on social media. Clinton added, \"Like every decent person, I have been horrified by what we have learned about their crimes.\" The depositions followed a long dispute with the House Oversight Committee.

House Oversight Committee depositions and Epstein case files

The depositions took place in the Clintons’ hometown, north of New York City. They came after months of tense talks with the Republican-led House Oversight Committee. It was described as the first time a former president was forced to testify before Congress. Lawmakers said public pressure over Epstein’s abuse claims kept growing.

President Donald Trump, a Republican, had said Clinton regretted the Clintons were being made to testify. Trump faced pressure last year to release Epstein case files. Epstein died in a New York jail cell in 2019. Epstein was awaiting trial at the time. The Department of Justice released an initial batch of files in January.

The Clintons agreed to appear after offers of sworn statements were rejected. The Oversight panel and chairman Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., also warned of criminal contempt of Congress charges. The committee’s probe also examined past Justice Department decisions. It focused on why further charges were not pursued after a 2008 deal.

That 2008 arrangement involved Epstein pleading guilty in Florida state court. Epstein admitted soliciting prostitution from an underage girl. Epstein avoided federal charges under the deal. The committee said it wanted to understand how the justice system handled the case. Lawmakers also raised broader questions about Epstein’s influence.

Republicans and Democrats seek answers on Epstein ties

Bill Clinton became a key target for Republicans seeking scrutiny of links to Epstein. The Justice Department’s January release included several photos of Bill Clinton. Some images showed Bill Clinton with women whose faces were redacted. Bill Clinton has not been accused of wrongdoing connected to Epstein.

Hillary Clinton said Bill Clinton flew with Epstein on charitable trips. Hillary Clinton repeated that Clinton did not recall meeting Epstein. Hillary Clinton said Clinton interacted with Maxwell at Clinton Foundation conferences. Maxwell also attended Chelsea Clinton’s 2010 wedding. Maxwell was described as Epstein’s former girlfriend and confidant.

Comer also cited Hillary Clinton’s work on sex trafficking as secretary of state. Hillary Clinton defended that record and said it was vital to support survivors. Clinton said millions of people worldwide survived sex trafficking. Comer pledged long days of questioning for both Clintons. Comer said the inquiry aimed to answer many questions.

\"We have a lot of questions, and the purpose of the whole investigation is to try to understand many things about Epstein,\" Comer told reporters outside the convention centre. Comer asked, \"How did he accumulate so much wealth? How was he able to surround himself with some of the most powerful men in the world?\"

Comer called the deposition effort bipartisan. Comer said it was possible the committee would question Trump’s Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Comer said Lutnick was Epstein’s neighbour and had several interactions with Epstein. Earlier this month, Democrats questioned Lutnick about those contacts. Lutnick said Lutnick met Epstein twice after the 2008 conviction.

Lutnick’s statement reversed an earlier claim about cutting ties after 2005. Democrats said transparency mattered more than defending party leaders. Several Democrats joined Republicans to advance contempt charges last month. Some lawmakers said they had no relationship with the Clintons. They said they owed no loyalty to them.

Democrats urge testimony in Epstein investigation

Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the panel, called for Trump to testify. Garcia said Bill Clinton’s appearance should apply to Trump too. \"Lets get President Trump in front of our committee to answer the questions that are being asked across this country from survivors,\" Garcia said. Comer said Trump could not be deposed as a sitting president.

Democrats also pressed Trump over handling of the Epstein files this week. They brought women who survived Epstein’s abuse as guests to Trump’s State of the Union address. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California supported broad interviews. \"We want to hear from everyone,\" Pelosi said. Pelosi said Pelosi did not see why Hillary Clinton was being interviewed, and stressed believing survivors.

With inputs from PTI