House Committee to Question Bill Clinton on Epstein Photos During Deposition
House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, stated that Republicans intend to question former President Bill Clinton about photographs depicting him socializing with Jeffrey Epstein. This questioning will occur during a deposition scheduled for Friday in Chappaqua, New York, the Clintons' hometown.
Bipartisan Inquiry into Epstein Connections
Comer informed reporters before the deposition that numerous photos and email correspondences involving President Clinton have been released by the Department of Justice. He emphasized the need for clarity on these matters. On the Democratic side, Representative Robert Garcia of California, the committee's top Democrat, affirmed the deposition's seriousness. Garcia highlighted that Democrats are committed to asking tough questions of anyone, regardless of political affiliation or past power, to uncover the truth.
Epstein Files and Flight Records
Images of the former president have been prominently featured in batches of files released by the Justice Department. These files, part of the investigative material from the sex trafficking case against Epstein, were disclosed under congressional orders. Epstein died in 2019 while facing charges. The files also mention other notable figures, including former President Donald Trump, though neither Clinton nor Trump has been implicated in Epstein's crimes.
Flight passenger manifests reveal that Clinton traveled multiple times on Epstein's private jet in the early 2000s. Clinton has explained that he accepted these flights because the aircraft could accommodate his staff and Secret Service detail during trips to promote his international charity work. He maintains that he was unaware of Epstein's sex crimes, which became public knowledge years later.
Subpoenas and Deferred Questions
The committee subpoenaed both Bill and Hillary Clinton for testimony regarding Epstein, with near-unanimous bipartisan support. During her deposition, the former first lady deferred several questions to her husband, according to lawmakers. These included inquiries about the photos, at least one of which appears to show Clinton with a younger woman on Epstein's plane.
Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, noted that Hillary Clinton avoided answering questions on these topics, referring them to her husband. Mace assured that Bill Clinton would be thoroughly questioned about these matters during his deposition.
This deposition marks a significant step in the ongoing investigation into the Epstein case, as lawmakers seek to understand the extent of connections between high-profile individuals and the convicted sex offender.
