Hillary Clinton has criticised a Republican-led committee of Congress for questioning her at length over the Epstein files, pointing out that they haven’t done the same to US president Donald Trump, who features heavily in the documents.
The former US Secretary of State gave roughly six hours of testimony on Thursday during a House Oversight Committee looking into the files, released by the US Department of Justice, related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Committee is investigating the US government’s handling of the Epstein case, including a 2008 plea deal with prosecutors that let Epstein off federal sex-trafficking charges.
“You have compelled me to testify, fully aware that I have no knowledge that would assist your investigation, in order to distract attention from President Trump’s actions and cover them up despite legitimate calls for answers,” Clinton said.
In the most recent release of the Epstein files, Trump’s name appears hundreds of times, including on an FBI list of men who are named as subjects of “salacious information“.
At the deposition, Clinton told House Republicans she never met Epstein and knew nothing about his crimes or those of his convicted accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.
“I had no idea about their criminal activities. I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein. I never flew on his plane or visited his island home or offices,” she said in an opening statement, which she also posted to platform, X.
“It was disappointing that they refused to hold a public hearing so I wouldn’t have to be out here characterising it for you, you could have seen it for yourselves ,” Clinton told reporters after giving her testimony.
A week ago, Clinton had spoken to the BBC to tell them she wanted to see the trial public and accused Trump of orchestrating a “cover-up”, in relation to Epstein’s sex trafficking ring and the rich, powerful people involved.
Following her testimony on Thursday, Clinton also told reporters the session took an odd turn towards the end, when she was asked by one of the members of the Committee if she had knowledge about UFOs or the Pizzagate conspiracy theory, which has been debunked.
Accusations against the Clintons
Hillary Clinton’s closed-door deposition occurred a day ahead of her husband, Bill Clinton’s scheduled testimony.
A former US president, Bill Clinton appears in numerous photos and other documents within the Epstein files, including logs that indicate at least 24 trips on Epstein’s private jet. Clinton’s links to Epstein have been well known for years, as he stated it was in relation to his charity work after leaving the White House that brought them together.
Hillary and Bill Clinton, both Democrats, have repeatedly denied wrongdoing related to Epstein and have not been accused of any crimes in relation to him. They have also long said they have provided all relevant information to the lawmakers on the panel.
The couple had initially resisted the panel’s subpoena, dismissing it as politically motivated and calling it “legally invalid”. They agreed after potential Contempt-of-Congress proceedings appeared against them.