Recordings of the two former first-family members answering questions about their past connections to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were made public on Monday, revealing prolonged denials of any knowledge of or involvement in his crimes.
The House Oversight Committee released footage from separate depositions held in Chappaqua, New York, where both Bill and Hillary Clinton were questioned under oath about their relationships with Epstein as part of a broader Republican-led inquiry. Each session, lasting several hours over two days last week, shows the pair distancing themselves from Epstein and rejecting suggestions of misconduct.
Former President Bill Clinton told lawmakers he first encountered Epstein on a humanitarian flight in 2002 and said he ended their acquaintance around 2003. He repeatedly insisted he saw no evidence of “trafficking women” during the limited time they were in contact and denied recollection of some documented interactions, including Epstein’s visits to the White House.
Mrs Clinton, the former secretary of state, similarly denied ever meeting Epstein and used parts of her deposition to rebuke Republicans on the committee, accusing them of selectivity and a lack of transparency. She also objected to the release of an unauthorised photo from the session, at one point telling lawmakers she was “done” if such actions continued.
The release of the depositions comes amid intensifying scrutiny of Epstein’s network of powerful acquaintances, though neither Clinton has been accused of wrongdoing. Lawmakers from both parties continue to argue over the value and motivations of the ongoing investigation.
