NEW YORK (Feb 27, 2026) — Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered a defiant opening statement to House lawmakers on Thursday, distancing herself from late financier Jeffrey Epstein and slamming the Republican-led probe as a partisan distraction.
Key Testimony Highlights
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Total Denial: Clinton stated she had “no idea” of the criminal activities of Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell, asserting, “I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein.”
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Contempt Avoided: The Clintons initially resisted the House Oversight Committee’s summons but agreed to testify after lawmakers moved to hold them in contempt of Congress.
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Counter-Accusations: Clinton used her statement to pivot toward President Donald Trump, urging the committee to investigate his “tens of thousands” of mentions in the Epstein files under oath.
The Investigation Scope
The committee, led by Chairman James Comer (R-KY), is investigating the depth of the Clintons’ ties to the convicted sex offender.
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Bill Clinton’s Involvement: The former President is scheduled for a deposition on Friday. Records show he flew on Epstein’s private plane multiple times in the early 2000s and that Epstein visited the White House 17 times during his presidency.
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Bipartisan Support: While Republicans lead the charge, some Democrats, including Nancy Pelosi, have supported interviewing anyone connected to Epstein to ensure transparency for survivors.
The depositions are being held behind closed doors in Chappaqua, New York. Chairman Comer noted that while “no one is accusing the Clintons of wrongdoing at this moment,” the committee aims to clarify Epstein’s involvement with the family’s charitable work.
