AFRICAN UNION CALLS FOR 'URGENT DE-ESCALATION' AFTER US, ISRAEL LAUNCH ATTACK ON IRAN. (PHOTO).
Former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to give a closed-door deposition Friday to the House Oversight Committee in Chappaqua, New York, as part of its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. His testimony follows that of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was questioned Thursday about the couple’s past interactions with the convicted sex offender.
Hillary Clinton told the committee she did not know Epstein, could not recall ever meeting him, and never visited his island or his homes. She said the committee repeatedly asked about Epstein and also raised off-topic questions, including ones about UFOs and the debunked “Pizzagate” conspiracy. Both Clintons deny any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes, and no survivor or associate has publicly accused them of wrongdoing. Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer emphasized that while the Clintons are not accused of any crimes, the committee seeks to understand Epstein’s activities and connections.
Bill Clinton’s association with Epstein became public in 2002 after it was reported that he flew on Epstein’s jet for a humanitarian trip to Africa. Clinton’s spokesperson at the time described Epstein as a philanthropist and financier. Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s co-conspirator, said in a recorded interview that she, not Epstein, had a friendship with Bill Clinton and helped arrange his trips on Epstein’s plane.
The Clintons were initially subpoenaed in January but did not comply, arguing the requests lacked legal merit and proposing a four-hour written interview instead. Their lawyer said the couple had no relevant information about the federal government’s handling of Epstein and Maxwell and should not be required to appear in person. After threats of contempt and a resolution passed by the Oversight Committee, the Clintons agreed to sit for depositions, postponing further action.
While the testimony will take place behind closed doors, both Clintons have pushed for public hearings, with Bill Clinton criticizing the private sessions as a “kangaroo court” and urging that questions be answered in a public forum so the American people can see the process. Democrats on the committee hope the Clintons’ depositions will prompt Republican members to investigate Epstein’s connections to former President Donald Trump, who has denied any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and said he ended contact with him more than 20 years ago.
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