Former first lady and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified for hours Thursday before the House Oversight Committee, asserting that her husband, former president Bill Clinton, “knew nothing” about Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes and calling on lawmakers to examine Donald Trump under oath.
“Yes, I’m 100% sure”
On her way out of the hearing, a reporter asked her, “Are you 100% sure that the former president knew nothing about Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes?” Mrs. Clinton replied, “Yes, I am.”
She also told the committee that she “had no idea” about Epstein’s crimes, adding that she wanted the truth to be revealed. “I want to see the truth come out,” she said after her lengthy testimony behind closed doors.
At the same time, she urged lawmakers to ask President Donald Trump to testify under oath about his past relationship with Epstein. The Clintons and Trump deny any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.
The subpoena and deposition
The Clintons had initially opposed the subpoena from the committee, calling it politically motivated. However, they eventually agreed to testify as contempt of Congress proceedings loomed
After six hours of testimony before members of the Oversight Committee, Hillary Clinton said she was “disappointed” that the testimony was not made public “so I don’t have to be out here characterizing it for you.”
She also expressed her appreciation to committee chairman James Comer, saying he had raised important questions about the nature of the investigation and allowed her to elaborate on aspects she felt should be explored. “I appreciated that. I want to see the truth come out, so it was a reassuring way to conclude a very long, repetitive testimony,” she said of Mr. Comer.
At the same time, he noted that he criticized Republican members of the committee for not asking questions of other people who testified about Epstein or his co-worker, Gislaine Maxwell, who has been convicted.
Bill Clinton’s stance and written statement
Bill Clinton has stated that he knew nothing about Epstein’s crimes and that he severed all ties with him two decades ago.
He has said their contact was linked to his charity work after he left the presidency, and has expressed regret that he was ever connected to the financier, who died in a New York prison in 2019.
The former president is due to testify on Friday.
Hillary Clinton also released via X a copy of her opening statement ahead of the hearing held in Chappaqua, New York, near the Clinton residence.
“I had no idea about their criminal activities,” she said of Epstein and Maxwell, adding: “I don’t recall ever meeting Mr. Epstein. I never flew on his plane or visited his island, residences or offices. I have nothing to add to that.”
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