CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. — A high-stakes, closed-door deposition of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was abruptly paused Thursday after Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) bypassed committee rules to leak an unauthorized photograph of the proceeding to a conservative media figure.
The incident occurred during the first day of landmark testimony at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, where the House Oversight Committee is investigating the associates and sex-trafficking network of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Despite the private nature of the hearing—demanded by the committee over the Clintons’ requests for a public forum—Boebert snapped a photo of Clinton and her official nameplate, which was quickly published on X by podcaster Benny Johnson.
A Breach of Protocol
The leak caused an immediate disruption, forcing a temporary recess as attorneys and committee staff scrambled to address the security breach. Under the established rules of the House Oversight Committee, unauthorized photography and the transmission of images from closed depositions are strictly prohibited.
“The hearing just went off the record for a moment,” a Clinton staffer told reporters on-site. “Oversight staff were seeking to find out where the photo came from and why members of Congress are violating House rules.”
Boebert remained defiant, later resharing Johnson’s post with the comment, “Benny did nothing wrong. Proceeding with deposition.” When asked by reporters why she shared the image, Boebert reportedly replied, “Why not?” and sarcastically complimented Clinton’s blue suit.
Six Hours of “Fishing Expeditions”
Once testimony resumed, Clinton faced six hours of questioning. In an opening statement released to the public, she called the probe a “partisan political theater” designed to distract from evidence involving other figures, including President Donald Trump.
Clinton maintained she has no relevant information regarding Epstein’s criminal enterprise, stating:
“Let me be as clear as I can. I do not [have information]. I never met Jeffrey Epstein, never had any connection or communication with him.”
Despite her firm denials, Republican lawmakers, including Chairman James Comer (R-KY), reportedly pressed her on the origins of Clinton Foundation donations and Ghislaine Maxwell’s attendance at Chelsea Clinton’s wedding. Clinton described the questioning as “repetitive” and noted that the inquiry veered into “vile, bogus conspiracy theories” regarding UFOs and the debunked “Pizzagate” narrative.
The Inverted Pyramid: Key Facts
The committee’s focus remains on the “Epstein Files,” a trove of documents released by the DOJ in late 2025.
- Contempt Threats: The Clintons agreed to testify only after the House moved to hold them in criminal contempt for defying earlier subpoenas.
- Public vs. Private: Clinton’s team renewed calls for the press to be admitted after the Boebert leak, but Chairman Comer denied the request.
- Bill Clinton’s Turn: The former president is scheduled to undergo a similar filmed and transcribed deposition tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 27.
Looking Ahead
Chairman Comer stated that a video of the testimony will likely be released within 24 hours, with a full transcript to follow once reviewed by legal counsel. The committee is expected to pivot tomorrow to questioning former President Bill Clinton, specifically regarding his confirmed flights on Epstein’s private aircraft in the early 2000s—a point of focus Republicans say is critical to understanding the financier’s web of influence.
