Clinton Testifies in Epstein Probe, Denies Wrongdoing as Partisan Tensions Flare
CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. — Former President Bill Clinton sat for a closed-door deposition on Friday with the House Oversight Committee as part of its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, telling lawmakers in his opening statement that he “saw nothing, and did nothing wrong.”
The questioning, which began mid-morning in Clinton’s hometown and was expected to stretch into the afternoon, comes just one day after his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, spent more than six hours answering questions from the panel.
In his prepared remarks, released by his office, Clinton characterized his relationship with Epstein as a “brief acquaintance” that ended years before Epstein’s crimes came to light. He acknowledged that he would “often” say “I don’t recall” during the deposition due to the passage of time, but he maintained his innocence.
“I know what I saw, and more importantly, what I didn’t see. I know what I did, and more importantly, what I didn’t do,” Clinton said. “I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong.”
A Partisan Divide Emerges
The proceedings quickly became a flashpoint for political conflict. Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, told reporters that Republicans had set a “new precedent” by questioning a former president and demanded that President Donald Trump also sit for an interview.
“We are once again demanding that now President Trump, who was in the Epstein files almost more than anyone else besides Ghislaine Maxwell, answer our questions,” Garcia said. “This is not a hoax.”
Garcia also criticized the GOP’s line of questioning during Hillary Clinton’s deposition, alleging that Republicans asked about UFOs and the “Pizzagate” conspiracy theory. “What we do not want today is a sideshow,” he said.
Republicans on the panel, however, struck a different tone. Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) told reporters that Bill Clinton was cooperative and had even suggested it was up to lawmakers to decide if Trump should be called to testify. Comer claimed Clinton told the panel that Trump “has never said anything to me to make me think he was involved.”
Garcia disputed Comer’s characterization as “not a complete accurate description.”
GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida said the panel’s broader focus was investigating whether Epstein was part of an “intelligence gathering operation” targeting powerful figures. She acknowledged “a bit of partisan smear” in the investigation but stressed the importance of the probe.
Trump Reacts, Distances Himself
Speaking to reporters before departing the White House for Texas and Florida, President Trump said he did not like seeing Bill Clinton deposed, but suggested the scrutiny on him had been far more intense.
“I don’t like seeing him deposed, but you know, they certainly went after me, a lot more than that,” Trump said. “I like him, and I don’t like seeing him deposed.”
The president also distanced himself from Epstein, repeating his longstanding denial of wrongdoing. “I don’t know anything about the Epstein files, you know, I’ve been fully exonerated,” he said.
Related Developments
Meanwhile, the fallout from the release of Justice Department files continues to spread. The University of California, San Diego announced that wellness guru Deepak Chopra’s affiliation with the school will end in June. The move comes on the heels of CNN reporting detailing Chopra’s close friendship with Epstein, including affectionate messages exchanged between the two men.
In a statement to CNN, UCSD said any association with Epstein was “regrettable.” Chopra has previously denied any misconduct, writing on X that he was “deeply saddened by the suffering of the victims” and that his contact with Epstein was “limited and unrelated to abusive activity.”
What’s Next
The committee is expected to release video of Bill Clinton’s testimony within days, according to a source familiar with the plans. The deposition, held at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, is being conducted by members of both parties, with Democrats insisting they are asking the former president tough questions.
“He’s been very thorough,” Garcia said of Clinton’s testimony. “He’s been asked some questions multiple times over. I think you’ll see that in the transcript.”
As the investigation continues, the political battle over who else should testify—and what the public will ultimately learn—shows no signs of abating.
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