WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former Secretary of State and former First Lady, Hillary Clinton, faced questions behind closed doors in Chappaqua, New York on Thursday.
The deposition in the Clintons’ hometown is part of the Republican-led House Oversight Committee’s probe into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The depositions for Hillary and Bill Clinton were originally planned to take place on Capitol Hill. Despite the location change, Oversight Committee members still took hours to question Hillary Clinton as they continue their comprehensive investigation into the late sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.
“The location was selected by Republicans. The majority controls where and how these depositions are done. We want to continue hearing from folks,” said Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., Ranking Member on the Oversight Committee.
“Not sure exactly how they were able to negotiate that. I think it should have been here at the Capitol,” said Congressman Nick Langworthy, R-N.Y., a member of the committee.
Flight logs show former President Bill Clinton flew on Epstein’s private plane at least 16 times — a detail that has fueled years of scrutiny. Committee leaders say the Clintons are not accused of any wrongdoing, but believe the depositions are an important step in the broader investigation.
“Secretary Clinton never met Jeffrey Epstein. She never visited the island. She never flew on his plane. She also had no knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s horrific crimes,” said Garcia during a mid-afternoon press update.
Outside the deposition Thursday, Democrats took aim at the Trump administration and the DOJ over missing files, some of which Ranking Member Garcia says include allegations against President Donald Trump.
“The questions continue to build around this DOJ and the White House and the focus of the majority. We want to understand right now where the missing FBI files are,” said Garcia. “These are files that accuse the president of the United States about serious, serious accusations around sexual abuse.”
Democrats also called on Republicans to release the full, unedited transcript from Hillary Clinton’s deposition within 24 hours.
“We will get that out,” said Oversight Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., referring to a recorded video of the deposition. “The transcript will be released as soon as her attorneys approve it,” he added when Republicans spoke briefly after the all-day deposition concluded.
“She took every question from every single member,” said Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C.
“I never met Jeffrey Epstein,” said Hillary Clinton when speaking to reporters Thursday evening. “I knew Ghislaine Maxwell casually as an acquaintance,” she added.
Back on Capitol Hill, Senate Democrats held a press conference reminding the public about the Epstein Files Transparency Act, legislation approved by Congress and signed by President Trump in November that requires the release of all DOJ files related to Epstein.
“It’s been 99 days since Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. “Release the Epstein Files.”
When asked this week whether the Department of Justice (DOJ) is doing enough to release information and be transparent, Rep. Langworthy said: “I believe they’ve put things out there. I don’t think the Attorney General handled her hearing all that well last week. That certainly couldn’t have felt like that went off well for her.”
“The severity of the crimes need serious scrutiny, and no one is above the law,” Langworthy added.
Friday, the spotlight shifts to former President Bill Clinton, who will sit for his closed-door at the same venue.
