Clintons 'Hunker Down' Ahead of Crucial Epstein Deposition Hearings This Week
Former President Bill Clinton and former first lady Hillary Clinton are reportedly "hunkering down" in preparation for their upcoming depositions concerning the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to a new report. The intense media focus on recently released government files related to Epstein has reignited scrutiny of individuals within his social circle, including the Clintons.
Deposition Schedule and Political Context
Hillary Clinton's deposition is anticipated to occur on Thursday, with Bill Clinton's scheduled for Friday. These sessions will take place in the Clintons' current hometown of Chappaqua, New York. Initially, the Clintons resisted testifying in the House of Representatives investigation into Epstein but later agreed under the threat of being held in contempt of Congress.
Republicans are reportedly planning to release video footage of the interviews shortly after they conclude, as indicated by a CNN source. The Clintons and members of the House Oversight Committee have established several key talking points for the depositions, which will address alleged mismanagement in the federal investigation into Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's 2019 suicide, and how the pair sought to gain favor for protection.
Broader Implications and Historical Connections
The depositions are expected to cover wider topics, including potential ethics violations by elected officials and strategies for combating sex-trafficking networks. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in assisting Epstein's sex trafficking of minor girls.
While neither the Clintons nor former President Donald Trump have been accused of criminal wrongdoing related to Epstein, their associations with the disgraced financier have faced persistent questioning. Bill Clinton's relationship with Epstein, in particular, has drawn significant attention.
Released Documents and Official Statements
The Department of Justice has released millions of documents pertaining to Epstein, compelled by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Among these documents are images featuring Bill Clinton, including a photo of him in a hot tub with a redacted individual, another showing him and Epstein in matching silky shirts, and one depicting him swimming with Maxwell.
In 2019, following Epstein's arrest on federal sex trafficking charges, Bill Clinton's spokesperson Angel Ureña acknowledged that the former president had traveled on Epstein's private plane during trips in 2002 and 2003, which were connected to the Clinton Foundation's work. Ureña emphasized that Clinton "knows nothing about the terrible crimes" Epstein was accused of or pleaded guilty to, including Epstein's 2008 guilty plea for soliciting prostitution from a minor in Florida.
Ureña clarified that while Clinton had met Epstein at his office and apartment in New York in the early 2000s, he had never visited Epstein's private island, where underage girls were allegedly trafficked and assaulted. Additionally, Ureña stated that Clinton had not spoken to Epstein in over a decade prior to 2019.
Hillary Clinton's Perspective
Hillary Clinton recently informed the BBC that she never met Epstein but had encountered Maxwell "on a few occasions." She asserted, "We have nothing to hide. We have called for the full release of these [Epstein] files repeatedly. We think sunlight is the best disinfectant." The Independent has reached out to a representative for Bill Clinton for further comment on the deposition preparations, highlighting the ongoing public and media interest in this high-profile case.
