Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered a blistering rebuke to House Oversight Committee Republicans on Thursday, accusing Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) of orchestrating a political “fishing expedition” to shield Donald Trump from scrutiny regarding his own ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The tense, six-hour closed-door deposition, held at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, marked a dramatic escalation in the GOP-led investigation into Epstein’s international sex-trafficking ring. Clinton, who appeared under subpoena after months of legal maneuvering, used her opening statement to dismantle the committee’s justification for her testimony.
‘A Diversionary Tactic’
In prepared remarks shared shortly after the proceedings, Clinton argued that the committee was fully aware she possessed no relevant information. She characterized the subpoena as a calculated attempt to distract from the “tens of thousands of times” Trump’s name reportedly appeared in recently unsealed Epstein files.
“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 to cover them up despite legitimate calls for answers,” Clinton stated.
She further challenged Comer to prove the investigation’s sincerity by questioning Trump under oath, rather than relying on “press gaggles” for information regarding the former president’s documented interactions with Epstein.
Key Revelations and Confrontations
Despite the gravity of the sex-trafficking inquiry, Clinton revealed that the questioning took several “unusual” turns. She told reporters that Republican lawmakers pressed her on “vile, bogus conspiracy theories,” including Pizzagate and UFOs.
The deposition was also briefly halted after Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) allegedly breached committee rules by leaking a photograph of the private proceeding to a conservative influencer on social media. Clinton described the incident as “very upsetting” and an indicator of the committee’s “unserious” nature.
| Key Aspect | Clinton’s Sworn Testimony |
|---|---|
| Personal Contact | Denied ever meeting or communicating with Jeffrey Epstein. |
| Travel & Property | Stated she never flew on Epstein’s plane or visited his island, homes, or offices. |
| Ghislaine Maxwell | Characterized Maxwell as a “casual acquaintance” through the Clinton Foundation. |
| Wedding Attendance | Confirmed Maxwell attended Chelsea Clinton’s 2010 wedding, but only as the guest of an invited individual. |
The Investigation’s Inverted Focus
Chairman James Comer defended the deposition, stating the committee is seeking to understand how Epstein accumulated his wealth and whether he operated as a “government asset.” He pointed to Epstein’s $20,000 donation to Hillary Clinton’s 2000 Senate campaign and a $25,000 contribution to the Clinton Foundation as areas of interest.
However, Ranking Member Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) and other Democrats dismissed the hearing as a “political exercise.” Garcia noted there is “zero, zip, zilch” evidence suggesting Hillary Clinton had knowledge of Epstein’s crimes, calling instead for Donald Trump to be held to the same standard of transparency.
What’s Next
The political fallout is expected to intensify as former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to sit for his own deposition on Friday. He will be the first former U.S. president compelled to testify before a House panel.
While House Republicans have promised to release the video and transcripts of Thursday’s testimony once they are scrubbed for sensitive information, the battle over the “Epstein Files” continues to serve as a volatile proxy war ahead of the 2026 midterms.
