Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton underwent a lengthy six-hour deposition on Thursday, responding to inquiries from the Republican-led House Oversight Committee, which is investigating the activities surrounding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, were subpoenaed as part of this inquiry regarding Epstein’s criminal history.
Following the closed-door session, Hillary Clinton expressed her disappointment that the hearing was not conducted publicly, arguing that transparency would have benefited both the committee and the public. “It was disappointing that they refused to hold a public hearing so I wouldn’t have to be out here characterizing it for you,” she told reporters outside the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center in New York. She emphasized her and her legal team’s desire for rapid access to transcripts and video of the hearing.
Clinton described the questioning as “repetitive,” particularly focused on her claims of not knowing Epstein personally, as well as her assertion that she never visited his private island, home, or offices. She reiterated, “I don’t know how many times I had to say I did not know Jeffrey Epstein,” further revealing her frustration with what she characterized as irrelevant inquiries, including off-topic questions about UFOs and unfounded conspiracy theories.
As her husband prepares to testify on Friday, Hillary expressed confidence that Bill Clinton was not aware of Epstein’s extensive criminal activity. She explained that Bill’s association with Epstein had concluded years prior to Epstein’s legal troubles becoming public knowledge. She cited the lenient plea deal Epstein received in 2008 for soliciting sex from minors as a significant issue in the case.
House Oversight Committee Chair, Rep. James Comer, indicated that he anticipated making the deposition video available within the next day, while the transcript will also be released pending approval from Clinton’s attorneys. He characterized the deposition as productive but noted that there were instances where Clinton simply referred questions back to her husband, highlighting a need for further clarification during Bill Clinton’s upcoming appearance. “We have a lot of questions for her husband tomorrow, and I’m confident that deposition will last even longer than this one,” Comer remarked.
This deposition highlights ongoing scrutiny into Epstein’s connections and behaviors, shedding light on the broader implications of such investigations. It underscores the importance of accountability in cases of sexual misconduct and serves as a reminder of the necessity for transparency in both political and legal processes.