Bill Clinton Gives Closed-Door Testimony to House Oversight in Epstein Inquiry

Former President Bill Clinton gave a closed-door deposition to the House Oversight Committee on Friday in its investigation of Jeffrey Epstein, according to CBS News, NBC News and Al Jazeera. In his opening statement he said, “I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong,” CBS News reported; Al Jazeera’s account quoted him saying he “saw nothing that gave me pause” while spending time with Epstein.

Clinton acknowledged knowing and traveling with Epstein, including flights on Epstein’s plane in 2002 and 2003 that he said were tied to Clinton Foundation work, according to NBC News and CBS News. CBS News reported that, in a sworn declaration submitted last month, Clinton said Epstein offered his private plane to him, his staff and his Secret Service detail to support foundation work. Al Jazeera likewise reported that he says the trips were connected to foundation work. NBC News and CBS News reported that he said he never visited Epstein’s island.

Clinton has never been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, according to CBS News and the Associated Press, although the two had a well-documented friendship in the 1990s and early 2000s. Committee Chairman James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, said in January, “No one’s accusing the Clintons of any wrongdoing. We just have questions,” according to the AP. After Friday’s session Comer said Clinton “answered every question or attempted to answer every question,” CBS News reported, and NBC News also reported that Comer described Clinton as cooperative.

The appearance followed a standoff. In January the Clintons told Comer in a letter that the subpoenas were “legally invalid,” and Bill Clinton did not appear for his scheduled deposition on Jan. 13, the AP reported in a story carried by PBS. Comer said the committee would begin contempt of Congress proceedings, and CBS News reported that both Clintons relented only under the threat of a House contempt vote. The AP noted that multiple former presidents have testified voluntarily but none has been compelled.

Democrats on the committee want it to go further. CBS News reported that ranking Democrat Robert Garcia said Democrats want President Trump to testify before the committee, and NBC News and Al Jazeera reported that Democrats are pressing for subpoenas of Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Trump, asked about the deposition, said he does not “like seeing him deposed,” NBC News reported; Al Jazeera quoted him as adding, “I like Bill Clinton.”

Hillary Clinton testified before the committee on Thursday, CBS News reported, often deferring questions about her husband. The committee is looking at Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019, and the people around him.