Clinton Calls for Public Release of Her Epstein Testimony

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has publicly challenged House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer to hold a transparent, public hearing regarding the Epstein files, rather than the closed-door sessions currently scheduled for later this month.

“For six months, we engaged Republicans on the Oversight Committee in good faith. We told them what we know, under oath. They ignored all of it. They moved the goalposts and turned accountability into an exercise in distraction,” Clinton wrote on social media platform X. She directly addressed Chairman Comer, adding: “So let’s stop the games. If you want this fight, Rep. James Comer, let’s have it—in public. You love to talk about transparency. There’s nothing more transparent than a public hearing, cameras on. We will be there.”

The challenge comes after months of tension between the Clintons and the Republican-led committee. Chairman Comer announced Wednesday that both Hillary and former President Bill Clinton have agreed to sit for closed-door transcribed interviews on February 26 and 27, respectively. According to Comer, these sessions will be filmed, though not conducted in a public forum.

This agreement narrowly averted what appeared to be imminent contempt of Congress votes against both Clintons. The House Oversight Committee had previously advanced contempt resolutions with bipartisan support—nine Democrats joined Republicans in voting to advance Bill Clinton’s contempt resolution, while three Democrats supported similar measures against Hillary Clinton. Had these contempt votes succeeded in the full House, both Clintons could have been referred to the Department of Justice for potential criminal prosecution.

“Republicans and Democrats on the Oversight Committee have been clear: no one is above the law—and that includes the Clintons,” Comer said in a statement. “After delaying and defying duly issued subpoenas for six months, the House Oversight Committee moved swiftly to initiate contempt of Congress proceedings in response to their non-compliance.”

The investigation centers around the Clintons’ connections to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier who died in prison while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Epstein maintained relationships with numerous high-profile individuals across politics, business, and entertainment before his death in 2019. His former associate Ghislaine Maxwell was subsequently convicted of sex trafficking and is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.

The probe represents one of several politically charged investigations being conducted by House Republicans during this election year. Critics suggest the timing and nature of the investigation are politically motivated, while supporters argue that no individual should be exempt from congressional oversight, regardless of their political stature.

Comer characterized the Clintons’ agreement to testify as a complete capitulation. “Once it became clear that the House of Representatives would hold them in contempt, the Clintons completely caved and will appear for transcribed, filmed depositions this month,” he said. “We look forward to questioning the Clintons as part of our investigation into the horrific crimes of Epstein and Maxwell, to deliver transparency and accountability for the American people and for survivors.”

Hillary Clinton’s public challenge for an open hearing marks a significant shift in strategy. By calling for complete transparency, she appears to be attempting to reclaim some narrative control in a process that has largely been directed by Republican committee leadership.

The Clintons’ testimonies come amid increased public interest in Epstein’s connections following the release of court documents and ongoing investigations into the extent of his criminal activities. Several survivors of Epstein’s abuse have advocated for full transparency regarding his powerful associates and enablers.

Whether Comer will accept Clinton’s challenge for a public hearing remains to be seen, but for now, the scheduled closed-door depositions are set to proceed in late February, marking a significant moment in the ongoing congressional investigation.