Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton used her opening remarks before the House Oversight Committee to accuse Republicans of dragging her into the Jeffrey Epstein probe in order to “distract” from President Donald Trump.
Clinton’s deposition began Thursday morning in Chappaqua, New York, where both Democratic and Republican members of the committee traveled for two days of testimony.
Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, is scheduled to testify on Friday.
In prepared remarks submitted to the panel, Clinton pushed back sharply against the investigation’s focus on her.
“A committee endeavoring to stop human trafficking would seek to understand what specific steps are needed to fix a system that allowed Epstein to get away with his crimes in 2008,” Clinton said.
“But that’s not happening. Instead, you have compelled me to testify, fully aware that I have no knowledge that would assist your investigation, in order to distract attention from President Trump’s actions and to cover them up despite legitimate calls for answers.”
“I Had No Idea”
Clinton reiterated her insistence that she had no involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities.
“As I stated in my sworn declaration on January 13, I had no idea about their criminal activities,” she told lawmakers.
“I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein.
“I never flew on his plane or visited his island homes or offices.
“I have nothing to add to that.”
She added, “Like every decent person, I have been horrified by what we have learned about their crimes.
“It’s unfathomable that Mr. Epstein initially got a slap on the wrist in 2008, which allowed him to continue his predatory practices for another decade.”
Neither Hillary Clinton nor Bill Clinton has been charged with any crimes related to Epstein.
Comer: “We Have a Lot of Questions”
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) told reporters before the deposition began that the Clintons are not currently being accused of wrongdoing.
“No one’s accusing, at this moment, the Clintons of any wrongdoing,” Comer said.
“They’re going to have due process.
“But we have a lot of questions, and the purpose of the whole investigation is to try to understand many things about Epstein.”
Comer said the questioning would be extensive.
“Today will be a long deposition, I would assume, and tomorrow will be an even longer deposition,” he added.
Members and staff from both parties are participating in the two-day proceedings.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) is expected to lead the initial questioning of Hillary Clinton.
Mace was among the House Republicans who forced a vote last year to compel the Department of Justice to release additional Epstein-related files.
Mace indicated she would also ask Clinton about Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and other figures whose names have surfaced in Epstein-related documents.
Maxwell and Foundation Ties
Comer said lawmakers would question Clinton about her interactions with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime child sex trafficking accomplice.
Maxwell was present at Chelsea Clinton’s 2010 wedding after allegations against Epstein had already become public.
Epstein was convicted of child sex crimes in 2008 and left prison in 2009.
He also suggested that Epstein’s claimed involvement in fundraising for the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative would be explored.
“Again, we’re not accusing Hillary Clinton of wrongdoing,” Comer said.
“We know that Jeffrey Epstein said many times in emails that he was the first person to raise money for the Clinton initiative, the Clinton Foundation, that he solicited money at some of his properties for the Clinton Foundation.”
“Again, that’s not saying anything illegal, but there are a lot of questions pertaining to Secretary Clinton with respect to Epstein and his involvement in the Clinton initiative and her relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell.”
Clinton Calls It a “Fishing Expedition”
In her remarks, Clinton accused Republicans of conducting a partisan “fishing expedition.”
“If this committee is serious about learning the truth about Epstein’s trafficking crimes, it would not rely on press giggles to get answers from our current president on his involvement.
“It would ask him directly, under oath, about the tens of thousands of times who showed up in the Epstein files,” she said.
“If the majority was serious, it would not waste time on fishing expeditions.
“There is too much that needs to be done.”
However, despite Clinton’s claims, the Epstein Files do not suggest any wrongdoing by Trump.
Epstein’s name appears frequently throughout the files alongside numerous high-profile individuals, including business leaders and political figures.
Bill Clinton appears in the Epstein Files thousands of times, particularly in photographs, flight logs, and emails.
Epstein also visited Bill Clinton’s White House 17 times, according to official logs.
Meanwhile, police reports revealed in the newly released files indicate that President Donald Trump reported concerns about Epstein’s behavior to authorities years ago.
In 2006, Trump was one of the first people to report Epstein to the authorities after becoming concerned about his behavior around young girls.
Speaking to former Palm Beach Police Chief Michael Reiter, Trump described Epstein as “disgusting” and urged authorities to look into his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, who he described as “evil.”
The depositions mark another major moment in Congress’s ongoing investigation into Epstein’s network.
Lawmakers say the inquiry is aimed at uncovering the full scope of how Epstein operated and who may have enabled him.
READ MORE – Epstein’s Secret Stash of Evidence Uncovered, Contents Revealed
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