After six hours before the House Oversight Committee, former secretary of State denies ties to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, repeatedly urging lawmakers to “ask my husband.”
CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. | Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton offered what Republicans described as limited new information during a six-hour closed-door deposition before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, intensifying political tensions ahead of former President Bill Clinton’s scheduled testimony.
The deposition centered on the late financier Jeffrey Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell, both convicted in connection with sex trafficking offenses. Lawmakers questioned whether either had any involvement with the Clinton Global Initiative or broader Clinton-affiliated networks.
“I don’t know how many times I had to say I did not know Jeffrey Epstein. I never went to his island, I never went to his homes, I never went to his offices,” Clinton told reporters following the deposition. “So it’s on the record numerous times.”
‘You’ll Have to Ask My Husband’
Oversight Committee Chair James Comer said Clinton frequently deferred to her husband when pressed about specific interactions or institutional links.
“The number of times that she said, ‘I don’t know, you’ll have to ask my husband,’ was more than a dozen,” Comer told reporters.
Republican Rep. Scott Perry similarly suggested that questions about the Clintons’ relationship with Epstein could only be answered by the former president.
Neither Hillary nor Bill Clinton has been accused of misconduct in connection with Epstein. Bill Clinton has acknowledged traveling on Epstein’s plane four times in the early 2000s but has said he cut off contact years before Epstein’s 2019 arrest on federal sex trafficking charges.
Political Undertones Intensify
Democrats characterized the proceedings as partisan overreach. Rep. Yassamin Ansari described the hearing as a “clown show,” arguing Republicans were engaging in a political fishing expedition rather than pursuing substantive investigative leads.
During her deposition, Clinton said lawmakers asked “repetitive” questions and strayed into unrelated topics, including conspiracy theories such as “Pizzagate,” which circulated widely during the 2016 presidential campaign.
The dispute unfolds amid renewed scrutiny of Justice Department disclosures tied to Epstein. Republicans contend that recently released files — some made public following congressional action and committee subpoenas — warrant deeper investigation of high-profile associates.
At the same time, Democrats argue Republicans are selectively focusing on the Clintons while downplaying former President Donald Trump’s past association with Epstein. Trump has said he had a falling out with Epstein years before his arrest and denied any involvement in criminal activity.
Justice Department officials have stated that certain records remain sealed due to privilege, duplication, or ongoing investigations.
Stakes for Friday’s Deposition
With Bill Clinton scheduled to testify next, Republicans are signaling a more pointed line of questioning regarding travel records, philanthropic events, and photographic evidence included in Justice Department disclosures.
Democrats, meanwhile, hinted that the precedent of calling former presidents before the committee could have future implications. Rep. Robert Garcia suggested Democrats might seek testimony from Trump if they regain control of the House.
The broader political context — and the bipartisan demand for transparency around Epstein’s network — ensures the issue will remain a flashpoint heading into the midterm cycle.
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-- By Michele Robinson
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