Clinton took the hot seat before Congress at 11:00 EST (16:00 GMT) in Chappaqua, New York, following weeks of relentless pressure from lawmakers.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appeared before the House Oversight Committee on Thursday in a dramatic turn in the ongoing investigation into disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The testimony came after weeks of mounting pressure from lawmakers.
Clinton took the stand at 11:00 EST (16:00 GMT) in Chappaqua, New York, near the couple’s residence. Traditionally conducted behind closed doors, the hearings have been opened up at the Clintons’ request to prevent selective leaks.
Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, is expected to testify on Friday, a move that would mark the first time a former U.S. president has appeared before Congress since Gerald Ford in 1983.
Both Clintons initially dismissed the summons as politically motivated but ultimately agreed to comply amid looming contempt-of-Congress proceedings. A spokesperson for Bill Clinton said the couple “look forward to setting a precedent that applies to everyone,” signaling cooperation while challenging what they view as partisan tactics.
Hillary Clinton has consistently denied any connection to Epstein. “We have nothing to hide,” she told the BBC in Berlin. “We have called for the full release of these files repeatedly. We think sunlight is the best disinfectant.” She said she does not recall meeting or speaking with Epstein, though she acknowledged encountering his associate Ghislaine Maxwell on a few occasions. Maxwell, serving a prison sentence for sex trafficking, notably attended the 2010 wedding of the Clintons’ daughter, Chelsea.
Bill Clinton has admitted knowing Epstein but denies any wrongdoing. He says he cut ties with the financier roughly 20 years ago and regrets the association. Epstein, who died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, cultivated connections with powerful figures across politics, business, and entertainment.
Recently declassified U.S. Department of Justice records include Bill Clinton’s name in flight logs and other documents. However, inclusion does not imply criminal conduct, as with other high-profile individuals mentioned, including former President Donald Trump.
The Clintons have accused House Republicans, particularly Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, of politicizing the investigation to embarrass them. Some Democrats on the committee initially supported contempt proceedings when the couple resisted appearing, highlighting the intense partisan pressure surrounding the probe. Comer defended the inquiry as bipartisan, saying depositions from both Clintons demonstrate that “no one is above the law.”
As the hearings continue, attention will focus on whether the testimony uncovers new details about Epstein’s vast network or deepens the political divisions that have defined the case. Lawmakers from both parties are expected to speak to reporters following Hillary Clinton’s testimony, keeping the nation’s eyes fixed on what could become a historic moment in congressional oversight.