Former President Testifies in Epstein Probe

Former President Bill Clinton’s closed-door testimony before the House Oversight Committee on Friday marked an unprecedented moment in modern American politics: the first time a former U.S. president has testified under a congressional subpoena as part of an active investigative probe.

The deposition, conducted in Chappaqua, New York — the Clintons’ longtime hometown — represents the latest escalation in Congress’s sprawling investigation into disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, whose political and social connections continue to generate scrutiny years after his death in federal custody.

A First for Congressional Oversight

Lawmakers from the Republican-led House Oversight Committee compelled Clinton’s appearance after months of legal disputes and missed deposition deadlines. Committee Chairman James Comer argued the testimony was necessary not because of criminal allegations, but because of unanswered public questions surrounding Epstein’s network of influential associates.

“No one is accusing the Clintons of wrongdoing,” Comer said previously, emphasizing that the inquiry seeks transparency rather than prosecution.

Still, the optics are historic. Congressional subpoenas have targeted senior officials before, but never a former president in this manner. The deposition was filmed and transcribed, with recordings expected to be released after legal review.

Clinton’s Central Claim: No Knowledge of Crimes

In his opening statement, Clinton denied any awareness of Epstein’s abuse and insisted he ended contact long before the financier’s criminal conduct became public.

“I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong,” Clinton told investigators, reiterating that he had no knowledge of Epstein’s activities.

Clinton has acknowledged traveling on Epstein’s private jet multiple times in the early 2000s but maintains he never visited Epstein’s private island and cut ties years before Epstein’s 2008 guilty plea related to prostitution charges involving a minor.

Hillary Clinton’s Testimony Set the Stage

The former president’s appearance followed a six-hour deposition by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton the previous day. She told lawmakers she had “no idea” about Epstein’s crimes and said she did not recall ever meeting him directly.

Hillary Clinton sharply criticized the investigation, describing it as partisan political theater while insisting she cooperated fully with questioning.

According to committee members, several questions she deferred — particularly regarding Clinton Foundation fundraising and social interactions — were redirected to her husband, expanding lawmakers’ agenda for Friday’s session.

Why Congress Is Still Investigating Epstein

Epstein’s 2019 death did little to end interest in the powerful circles that surrounded him. Newly released Justice Department files and photographs have renewed scrutiny of political figures, business leaders, and celebrities who interacted with the financier over decades.

Congressional investigators say their focus includes:

• Epstein’s access to political institutions

• fundraising relationships tied to philanthropic initiatives

• potential failures by government agencies to investigate earlier allegations

The committee argues that understanding Epstein’s influence may reveal broader institutional blind spots rather than individual criminal liability.

A Clash Over Motives

The depositions followed months of resistance from the Clintons’ legal team, which initially challenged the subpoenas as politically motivated. The pair ultimately agreed to testify after lawmakers signaled they were prepared to pursue contempt proceedings.

Democrats on the committee have echoed claims that the investigation risks becoming a partisan spectacle, while Republicans argue congressional oversight requires questioning high-profile figures connected to Epstein regardless of party affiliation.

The disagreement reflects a deeper institutional fight: how far Congress can go in compelling testimony from former presidents and senior officials once they leave office.