Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told House lawmakers during a closed-door deposition in New York that she had no knowledge of the criminal activities of Jeffrey Epstein or his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, and said she does not recall ever meeting Epstein.
In an opening statement that was later made public, Clinton said she was unaware of their crimes and described herself as horrified by what has since come to light. Her testimony marked the start of two days of depositions that are also expected to include former President Bill Clinton.
The proceedings are taking place in Chappaqua, New York, after months of disagreement between the Clintons and the Republican-led House Oversight Committee. Lawmakers rejected written statements previously submitted by the couple and issued subpoenas, with Committee Chairman James Comer warning of possible contempt proceedings.
Hillary Clinton acknowledged that her husband had traveled on trips connected to Epstein’s charitable initiatives but maintained that she had no personal interactions with him. She confirmed encountering Maxwell at events hosted by the Clinton Foundation and noted that Maxwell attended their daughter Chelsea Clinton’s wedding in 2010.
Bill Clinton has faced renewed scrutiny following the release of documents by the Department of Justice earlier this year that included photographs of him. However, he has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.
The committee’s broader inquiry also seeks to examine how Epstein secured a controversial 2008 plea agreement in Florida, which allowed him to avoid federal charges after pleading guilty to state prostitution charges involving a minor. Lawmakers are probing why federal authorities did not pursue additional action at the time.
Hillary Clinton criticized the committee’s approach, accusing Republicans of conducting what she described as a politically selective investigation that does not equally scrutinize other prominent figures, including Donald Trump. Trump previously authorized the release of additional Epstein-related files amid public calls for transparency.
Meanwhile, Democrats on the committee have called for broader accountability. Representative Robert Garcia said that if former presidents are being questioned, Trump should also appear before the panel. Committee leadership has stated that a sitting president cannot be deposed.
The renewed congressional focus highlights ongoing public pressure for transparency surrounding Epstein’s network, his connections to influential figures, and the handling of previous criminal investigations before his 2019 death in federal custody while awaiting trial.
Lawmakers from both parties have indicated the investigation will continue, with additional witnesses potentially being called as the committee seeks answers regarding Epstein’s wealth, associations, and past plea agreements.