CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. — For over a quarter-century, the wooded lanes of Chappaqua have provided a sanctuary for Bill and Hillary Clinton, a quiet backdrop to a post-presidential life of dog walks and local parades. But that suburban calm was punctured on Feb. 26, 2026, when the former Secretary of State traded her routine for a six-hour, closed-door deposition at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center.
Subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee, Hillary Clinton faced rigorous questioning regarding her and her husband’s ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell. While the legal proceedings remained private, the reactions from her neighbors in this affluent Westchester County hamlet were anything but quiet, revealing a community torn between fierce loyalty and a demand for absolute transparency.
A ‘Fishing Expedition’ or Necessary Accountability?
The deposition, led by House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), focused on Epstein’s alleged fundraising for the Clinton Global Initiative and Maxwell’s attendance at Chelsea Clinton’s 2010 wedding. Hillary Clinton remained defiant, later characterizing the inquiry as a “partisan fishing expedition” and “political theater.”
In Chappaqua, a Democratic stronghold, many residents echoed her frustration.
“Secretary Clinton is being used as a pawn to pull focus away from others,” said New Castle Town Councilwoman Jennifer Naparstek Klein. She described the subpoena as an “assault on the integrity of women” and praised the town for making the process as “convenient as possible” for their high-profile neighbor.
However, the sentiment was not universal. Just down the road at a local Starbucks, Steven Sabbagh of nearby South Salem expressed relief that the testimony finally took place.
“I think you want every bit of truth to come out,” Sabbagh said. “I feel so sorry for the victims. I am happy they are being persistent because so many powerful individuals are trying to squash this.”
Inside the Testimony: Flights and White House Visits
The investigation centers on records suggesting Epstein visited the White House 17 times during the Clinton presidency. During the deposition, Clinton reportedly deferred over a dozen questions to her husband, frequently stating, “I don’t know, you’ll have to ask my husband.”
| Key Inquiry Points | Hillary Clinton’s Response |
| Epstein’s White House Visits | Confirmed 17 visits occurred during the 1990s. |
| Ghislaine Maxwell at Wedding | Stated Maxwell attended as a “plus-one” of an invited guest. |
| Flights on ‘Lolita Express’ | Denied ever flying on Epstein’s private plane or visiting his island. |
| Clinton Foundation Funding | Directed questions to Bill Clinton regarding Epstein’s donations. |
The proceedings were briefly interrupted when a unauthorized photo from inside the room was leaked on social media, prompting Clinton’s legal team to demand assurances of privacy before continuing.
The Search for Transparency
For younger residents, the partisan divide felt secondary to the moral weight of the allegations. Heather Smith, a recent Cornell University graduate, noted that accountability should transcend party lines.
“Whether it be Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, or anyone named in the Epstein files, they should be asked tough questions,” Smith said. “The only way to build back trust in government is through transparency.”
Bill Clinton, who has consistently denied any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes, followed his wife’s testimony with his own deposition on Feb. 27. He maintained that his association with Epstein ended years before the financier’s 2008 conviction, stating, “I saw nothing and I did nothing wrong.”
Looking Ahead
As the House Oversight Committee begins reviewing the transcripts and video footage for public release, Chappaqua is returning to its usual rhythm. Yet, the shadow of the investigation remains. With millions of pages of Epstein-related documents still under seal, the community—and the nation—awaits the next disclosure from the Justice Department to see if the “truth” neighbors are seeking will finally be fully unmasked.
