CHAPPAQUA, NY — Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton briefly derailed a high-stakes congressional deposition last week, threatening to halt proceedings and “be held in contempt” after a Republican lawmaker leaked an unauthorized photo of the closed-door session.
The confrontation, captured in video footage released Monday by the House Oversight Committee, occurred during a February 26 deposition regarding the committee’s ongoing investigation into the late offender Jeffrey Epstein. The incident highlights the deep partisan tensions surrounding the probe, which has recently compelled both Hillary and former President Bill Clinton to testify under oath.
‘I’m Done’: The Outburst That Paused the Deposition
The viral moment occurred roughly an hour into the session when Clinton’s legal counsel, Cheryl Mills, interrupted to report that a photo of the former Secretary from inside the room was circulating on social media. The leak violated the strict ground rules of the non-public hearing.
“I’m done with this if you guys are doing that. I am done,” Clinton said, slamming her hand on the table. “You can hold me in contempt from now until the cows come home. This is just typical behavior.”
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) subsequently admitted to taking the photo, which was then shared online by right-wing influencer Benny Johnson. Following a brief recess and a sharp admonition from Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY), the deposition resumed.
Hillary Clinton Denies Any Connection to Epstein
Despite the explosive interruption, the core of the deposition focused on Clinton’s potential knowledge of Epstein’s international sex-trafficking ring. Clinton maintained a consistent stance of non-involvement, distancing herself entirely from the disgraced financier.
- No Recollection: Clinton testified that she “did not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein” and had no knowledge of his criminal activities.
- Travel Denials: She explicitly denied ever flying on Epstein’s private aircraft or visiting his private island or homes.
- Ghislaine Maxwell: Clinton clarified that she knew Epstein’s accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, only “casually as an acquaintance” and noted Maxwell attended her daughter Chelsea’s wedding as a guest of another invitee.
The Political Fight Over ‘Contempt’
The Clintons’ appearance in Chappaqua was the culmination of a six-month legal battle. The couple initially refused to comply with subpoenas issued in August 2025, labeling the investigation “political theater.”
They only agreed to the depositions after the House Oversight Committee voted on a bipartisan basis in January 2026 to recommend Contempt of Congress charges. Clinton used her testimony to criticize the committee’s lack of public hearings and its perceived failure to call other high-profile figures named in the Epstein files.
“This institutional failure is designed to protect one political party and one public official,” Clinton stated during the session, referring to President Donald Trump.
What’s Next: Analyzing the ‘Hot Tub’ Discrepancies
The investigation now shifts to reconciling discrepancies between the Clintons’ testimonies and existing evidence. While Hillary denied all contact, Bill Clinton’s deposition on February 27 confirmed he flew on Epstein’s plane for “humanitarian work” in the early 2000s, though he denied seeing any illegal activity.
Lawmakers are expected to spend the coming weeks reviewing the 4-hour video transcripts for inconsistencies. Chairman Comer has indicated that a full public hearing remains a possibility if new evidence contradicts last week’s sworn statements.
