Hillary Clinton Testifies She Has No Information on Epstein’s Crimes, Doesn’t Recall Meeting Him/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Hillary Clinton told House lawmakers she had no knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s or Ghislaine Maxwell’s crimes. She said she does not recall ever meeting Epstein during her closed-door deposition. The testimony comes amid bipartisan pressure in Congress to scrutinize high-profile figures linked to Epstein.
Hillary Clinton denies knowledge of Epstein crimes Quick Looks
- Hillary Clinton testified before the House Oversight Committee in a closed-door deposition.
- She said she had no information about Jeffrey Epstein’s or Ghislaine Maxwell’s criminal conduct.
- Clinton stated she does not recall ever encountering Epstein.
- The deposition is part of a broader congressional investigation into Epstein.
- Bill Clinton is also scheduled to testify.
- The hearings follow months of dispute between the Clintons and House Republicans.
- Some Democrats joined Republicans in advancing contempt proceedings.
- The investigation examines past Justice Department decisions related to Epstein.
Deep Look: Hillary Clinton Testifies She Has No Information on Epstein’s Crimes, Doesn’t Recall Meeting Him
WASHINGTON — Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told members of the House Oversight Committee on Thursday that she had no knowledge of the criminal activities of Jeffrey Epstein or his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and that she does not recall ever meeting Epstein.
In an opening statement shared publicly, Clinton said, “I had no idea about their criminal activities. I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein.”
Her testimony marked the start of two days of closed-door depositions in Chappaqua, New York, where she and former President Bill Clinton reside. The former president is also scheduled to testify, making it the first time a former U.S. president has been compelled to appear before Congress under such circumstances.
The depositions follow months of tense exchanges between the Clintons and the Republican-led House Oversight Committee. The committee’s chairman, Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, had threatened to pursue criminal contempt charges after rejecting the couple’s earlier offers to provide sworn written statements instead of in-person testimony.
Renewed Scrutiny Over Epstein Case
Congressional scrutiny of Epstein’s crimes has intensified in recent years, driven by bipartisan demands for transparency surrounding how the case was handled. Epstein, a financier with extensive ties to political and business elites, died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
President Donald Trump ordered the release of additional Epstein-related files last year amid mounting pressure from lawmakers and the public. Those records included photos and references to high-profile individuals, including Bill Clinton, though no criminal wrongdoing has been alleged against him.
Hillary Clinton said earlier this month in a BBC interview that her husband had traveled on Epstein’s plane for charitable trips but that she herself did not recall meeting Epstein. She acknowledged interacting with Maxwell at public events connected to the Clinton Foundation and noted Maxwell attended their daughter Chelsea Clinton’s wedding in 2010.
“We are more than happy to say what we know, which is very limited and totally unrelated to their behavior or their crimes,” Clinton said.
Political Tensions and Partisan Divide
The Oversight Committee has sought to examine not only personal associations but also how previous Justice Department administrations handled the Epstein case. Lawmakers have questioned why federal prosecutors did not pursue additional charges following Epstein’s 2008 plea agreement in Florida, where he avoided federal prosecution after pleading guilty to state charges involving solicitation of a minor.
Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, a Republican member of the committee, argued that the Clintons’ prominence warrants thorough questioning.
“If you’re the wife of Bill Clinton, aren’t you going to have some questions about your husband’s activities?” Perry said, adding that the committee is following the facts wherever they lead.
Conspiracy theories linking the Clintons to Epstein and Maxwell have circulated for years, particularly in conservative media circles. Both Hillary and Bill Clinton have denied any involvement in or knowledge of Epstein’s criminal conduct.
Democrats Emphasize Transparency
Unlike previous political controversies involving the Clintons, some Democrats have taken a more measured approach, emphasizing transparency over loyalty to former party leaders.
Several Democratic members of the Oversight Committee joined Republicans last month in advancing contempt proceedings against the Clintons. Some lawmakers noted they have no personal or political ties to the couple and are focused instead on ensuring a full accounting of the Epstein case.
Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the committee, said both Republican and Democratic administrations share responsibility for releasing more information.
“Both administrations have failed survivors in not getting more information out to the public,” Garcia said. He added that lawmakers are also interested in exploring any potential foreign connections related to Epstein.
Democrats have also sought to scrutinize Trump’s administration over its handling of the Epstein files. This week, some lawmakers invited survivors of Epstein’s abuse as guests to the State of the Union address to underscore the need for accountability.
Even senior Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have said the committee should interview anyone connected to Epstein.
“We want to hear from everyone,” Pelosi said, adding that it is important to “believe survivors.”
Ongoing Investigation
The depositions of the Clintons represent another chapter in the long-running effort to unravel the full scope of Epstein’s network and the decisions made by federal authorities over the years. Lawmakers from both parties say they intend to continue pressing for answers.
For Hillary Clinton, Thursday’s testimony focused squarely on denying knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and clarifying the limited nature of her interactions. Whether the broader investigation yields new revelations remains uncertain, but the political and legal ramifications of the Epstein case continue to reverberate across Washington.
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