Clinton Testifies in House Oversight’s Epstein Investigation, Calls Probe a Distraction

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified Thursday before the House Oversight Committee as part of Congress’ investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, characterizing her appearance as politically motivated rather than focused on addressing human trafficking concerns.

In her opening remarks, Clinton directly accused Republican committee members of using her testimony as a political maneuver. “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 stated. “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.”

The high-profile deposition takes place in the Clintons’ hometown of Chappaqua, New York, following an agreement between the committee and the Clintons’ legal team. Former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to appear before the same panel on Friday.

Clinton emphatically denied any personal connection to Epstein’s criminal activities, stating she never engaged with Epstein nor traveled on his private jet, infamously nicknamed the “Lolita Express.” These denials come as committee members prepare to scrutinize potential connections between the Clintons and Epstein’s network.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) attempted to frame the investigation as fact-finding rather than accusatory. “No one’s accusing, at this moment, the Clintons of any wrongdoing. They’re going to have due process,” Comer told reporters before the session began. “But we have a lot of questions, and the purpose of the whole investigation is to try to understand many things about Epstein.”

The committee’s investigation represents one of several ongoing efforts to uncover the full scope of Epstein’s activities and connections to powerful figures. Epstein, a wealthy financier who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, maintained relationships with numerous prominent individuals across political, business, and social circles.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), who is currently running for governor in South Carolina, was designated to lead questioning of the former first lady. Mace has been at the forefront of efforts to investigate Epstein’s network, having previously pushed for the Department of Justice to release files related to Epstein despite resistance from some GOP leadership.

Comer indicated that questioning would focus on Clinton’s potential connections to Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate who was convicted in 2021 for her role in facilitating Epstein’s abuse. The chairman specifically mentioned Maxwell’s attendance at Chelsea Clinton’s wedding in 2010, which occurred after initial allegations against Epstein had become public.

The committee also plans to examine Epstein’s financial ties to the Clinton Foundation. “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,” Comer stated, while again emphasizing that they were not alleging illegal activity.

The hearings come amid broader political tensions as both parties prepare for the upcoming presidential election. Democrats on the committee have characterized the investigation as politically motivated, while Republicans maintain it serves a legitimate oversight purpose regarding Epstein’s far-reaching influence and the response of government officials to allegations against him.

Both Republican and Democratic committee members and their staff traveled to New York for the two-day session, underscoring the high-profile nature of the testimony from two former occupants of the White House.