Hillary Clinton Accuses Republicans of 'Fishing Expedition' in Epstein Testimony
Hillary Clinton appeared before a congressional committee investigating alleged links to Jeffrey Epstein, where she accused Republican members of targeting her to distract from Donald Trump's involvement with the convicted sex offender. The former US secretary of state testified for hours in a closed-door session on Thursday, just before her husband, former President Bill Clinton, was scheduled to appear.
Key Moments from the Deposition
In her opening statement, Clinton heavily criticised the House Oversight Committee, arguing that the proceedings were not aimed at seeking truth and justice for Epstein's victims. She repeatedly denied any personal knowledge of Epstein, stating she never visited his island, homes, or offices. Clinton questioned the committee's motives, asking, "What is being held back? Who is being protected? And why the cover-up?"
Bizarre Questions and a Leaked Photo
Clinton described the questioning as "repetitive," with lawmakers asking the same questions repeatedly. Late into the session, the inquiries veered off course, touching on UFOs and the Pizzagate conspiracy theory, which falsely alleged a child sex ring linked to Democrats. The deposition was briefly interrupted when Republican member Lauren Boebert leaked a photo from the room, violating rules against photography in closed-door hearings. Clinton expressed frustration, noting that this breach suggested potential violations of other agreements.
Calls for Trump to Testify Under Oath
Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the committee, urged that Donald Trump and his commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, testify over their ties to Epstein. Clinton echoed this, stating that if the committee were serious, it would ask Trump directly under oath about his frequent appearances in Epstein's files. Committee chair James Comer dismissed the idea of Trump testifying, claiming transparency had been achieved through previous document releases.
Confidence in Bill Clinton's Innocence
When asked if she was confident her husband knew nothing of Epstein's crimes during their social interactions in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Hillary Clinton affirmed her belief, citing the chronology of their connection ending years before Epstein's criminal activities came to light. Transcripts and video of both Clintons' sessions are expected to be made public, despite the closed-door format.
