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Former President Bill Clinton declared his innocence as he began testimony before the House Oversight Committee on Friday, firmly stating he “had no idea” about Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activities despite their documented connections.
“I know what I saw and more importantly, what I didn’t see. I know what I did and more importantly, what I didn’t do. I saw nothing and I did nothing wrong,” Clinton said in his opening remarks at the deposition taking place in Chappaqua, New York.
The former president is facing intense scrutiny from lawmakers investigating his relationship with Epstein, the financier who died in prison while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, and Epstein’s accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a prison sentence after her conviction on related charges.
Clinton acknowledged that he would frequently respond that he couldn’t recall specific details, explaining, “That might be unsatisfying, but I’m not going to say something I’m not sure of. This was all a long time ago, and I’m bound by my oath not to speculate or to guess.”
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) indicated he had extensive questions regarding Clinton’s connections to Epstein. “There are a lot of photos that have been released by the Department of Justice as well as the Epstein estate. There are a lot of email correspondence that included President Clinton,” Comer told reporters.
The committee plans to question Clinton about documented interactions, including Epstein’s 17 visits to the White House during Clinton’s presidency and the former president’s approximately 27 flights on Epstein’s private plane.
Clinton directly addressed these flights in his testimony, saying, “As someone who grew up in a home with domestic abuse, not only would I have not flown on his plane if I had any inkling of what he was doing — I would have turned him in myself and led the call for justice for his crimes, not sweetheart deals.”
He added that he “saw nothing that ever gave me pause” regarding Epstein’s behavior and had “long stopped associating with him” by the time of Epstein’s 2008 guilty plea.
The deposition follows testimony from former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton the previous day, which lasted about six hours. According to Comer, Hillary Clinton deferred numerous questions to her husband, particularly regarding the Clinton Foundation and Clinton Global Initiative.
“There are so many examples in the evidence the Department of Justice released, in correspondence where Epstein bragged about how involved he was initially in setting up the Clinton Global Initiative and the Clinton Foundation,” Comer said, explaining why Bill Clinton’s testimony was crucial.
In his opening statement, Clinton also defended his wife, saying, “You made Hillary come in. She had nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. Nothing. She has no memory of even meeting him. She neither traveled with him nor visited any of his properties.”
Both Clintons have emphasized that Epstein’s victims deserve justice and healing, with the former president stating that his appearance before the committee was for their benefit.
Neither of the Clintons has been accused of involvement in Epstein’s crimes, though Bill Clinton’s name appears repeatedly in documents released by the Department of Justice and the House Oversight Committee related to the Epstein investigation.
Like his wife’s testimony, Clinton’s deposition is being conducted behind closed doors and under oath. The interview is being transcribed, with video likely to be released within a week of its conclusion.
The committee expects Clinton’s session to be even longer than his wife’s six-hour testimony, reflecting the extensive questions about his direct interactions with Epstein and Maxwell, and the alleged connections between Epstein and the Clintons’ charitable endeavors.
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24 Comments
Hmm, this is certainly a complex and controversial situation. While I understand Clinton’s desire to avoid speculation, his lack of recollection raises some eyebrows. I hope the investigation uncovers the full truth, whatever it may be.
You’re right, there seem to be a lot of unanswered questions. It will be interesting to see what else emerges from this deposition and the broader investigation.
Epstein’s connections to powerful individuals like Clinton have long been a source of speculation and controversy. I hope the House investigation can shed light on the full extent of these relationships and any potential wrongdoing.
Yes, the public deserves to know the truth about these high-profile connections and whether they enabled or covered up Epstein’s criminal activities. The investigation must be thorough and impartial.
The deposition of Clinton regarding Epstein is an important step in uncovering the truth, but I worry that powerful individuals may still attempt to obfuscate or evade responsibility. Rigorous and impartial investigation is essential.
I share your concern. This case has far-reaching implications, and the investigators must be prepared to follow the evidence wherever it leads, even if it means holding influential figures accountable.
This case highlights the importance of political leaders being held accountable, regardless of their status or connections. The American people deserve transparency on this issue.
Absolutely. No one should be above the law, and the public has a right to know the full extent of any wrongdoing or cover-ups.
Clinton’s claims of ignorance seem hard to believe given the well-documented ties between him and Epstein. The investigation will be crucial in determining if he is telling the full truth or attempting to conceal his knowledge or involvement.
Exactly. The American people need to have confidence that their leaders are being held accountable, no matter how powerful or influential they may be. This case will test the integrity of the political system.
While Clinton’s testimony may be unsatisfying, his claim of limited recall is understandable given the passage of time. However, the House investigation must still press for a comprehensive accounting of his connections to Epstein and any potential knowledge of wrongdoing.
That’s a fair point. Even if Clinton’s memory is imperfect, the investigators must leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of the truth. The public deserves a complete and accurate record of these events.
While I understand Clinton’s desire to protect himself, his repeated claims of ignorance on Epstein’s crimes are quite concerning. The investigation must uncover the facts, even if they are politically inconvenient.
Agreed. The truth must come to light, no matter how uncomfortable it may be for those involved. Transparency and accountability are essential in a democracy.
This is a complex and sensitive issue, and I can understand Clinton’s hesitation to speculate or make definitive statements. However, the lack of clear answers may only fuel further suspicion. Transparency and accountability should be the priority moving forward.
Clinton’s claim of ignorance about Epstein’s crimes raises many questions. While I appreciate the cautious approach, the public deserves more transparency. Hopefully the investigation can shed light on the full extent of their relationship and interactions.
Agreed. The public deserves answers, even if they are uncomfortable. I hope the investigation can uncover the truth, wherever it may lead.
This is a sensitive and high-profile case, so Clinton’s evasive responses are understandable to an extent. But the lack of clear answers could undermine public confidence. I hope the committee is able to get to the bottom of this.
The relationship between Clinton and Epstein has long been a source of concern, and this deposition is a critical step in determining the extent of their interactions and any potential knowledge or complicity in Epstein’s criminal activities.
Absolutely. This case goes to the heart of public trust in our political leaders. The investigation must be thorough, impartial, and ensure that the truth is brought to light, no matter how uncomfortable it may be.
Given the gravity of the allegations, I’m not surprised Clinton is choosing his words carefully. However, his responses may further fuel suspicions if he’s unable to provide more details. Transparency will be key to restoring public trust.
I agree, the public deserves a full accounting. Hopefully the investigation can uncover the facts, even if they are uncomfortable.
Interesting that Clinton claims no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes, despite their documented ties. I wonder if the House investigation will uncover more details about their relationship and Clinton’s potential involvement or awareness.
Indeed, it seems unlikely that Clinton was completely unaware of Epstein’s activities given their close association. The investigation will be crucial in determining the full truth of the matter.