Topline
The House Oversight Committee released videos of former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s recent testimonies on Jeffrey Epstein, publishing the depositions in full days after the Clintons distanced themselves from the late sex offender and his alleged schemes.
The depositions were held on Feb. 26 and Feb. 27. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
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Key Facts
Bill and Hillary Clinton’s testimonies were published on YouTube, with both lasting about four and a half hours.
The depositions, held on Feb. 26 and Feb. 27, were closed to the public and press, though lawmakers and Hillary Clinton shared largely non-specific comments about what occurred.
Bill Clinton, who was pictured in several photographs throughout the Epstein files, told Congress he “had no idea of the crimes [Epstein] was committing” and that if he did, “not only would I not have flown on his plane … I would have turned him in myself and led the call for justice for his crimes,” according to a copy of his opening statement.
Hillary Clinton’s opening statement echoed her husband’s, and Democratic lawmakers later told reporters she was “completely cooperating” and answering questions.
The Clintons for years have denied wrongdoing in association with Epstein, and after rejecting subpoenas to testify on the disgraced financier in January, agreed to testify last month and sought to do so in a public setting.
Hillary Clinton Blasts Rep. Lauren Boebert Over Photo Controversy
During Hillary Clinton’s testimony, influencer Benny Johnson shared a photo from inside the deposition that was taken by Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo. The photo was alleged as a potential violation of rules prohibiting photos during depositions and resulted in Clinton blasting the committee and requesting the press have access to the testimony since the photo was shared on social media. Boebert claimed the photo was taken prior to the hearing. The video of Hillary Clinton’s testimony showed her enraged, saying, “I’m done with this. If you guys are doing that I am done. You can hold me in contempt from now until the cows come home.” Boebert can be heard off-screen saying, “I will take that down” before Hillary Clinton’s team calls for a break and the former secretary of state quickly gets out of her chair.
Key Background
The Clintons agreed early last month to testify in the Epstein probe after sparring with the House Oversight Committee on the depositions for months. The former first couple was initially summoned to meet with the committee in October. House Oversight Committee chair Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., said in January he turned down an offer from Bill Clinton to speak privately about Epstein in a meeting that would have had no official transcript or been attended by other lawmakers. The committee voted to hold the Clintons in contempt of Congress as they defied subpoenas and argued in favor of written testimony instead of an in-person one. Bill Clinton was a confirmed associate of Epstein’s in the 2000s, while Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s financier, told the Justice Department last year Hillary Clinton “was my friend.” The former secretary of state said she knew Maxwell through her “personal relationship with a mutual friend” and does not recall specifics of their interactions.
Further Reading
Hillary Clinton Tells Congress She Had ‘No Relationship’ With Ghislaine Maxwell In Epstein Testimony (Forbes)
Bill Clinton And Hillary Clinton Agree To Testify On Jeffrey Epstein After Rejecting Subpoenas (Forbes)
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