Former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appeared before the United States House Committee on Oversight and Accountability on Thursday, providing testimony as part of the panel’s expanding investigation into the activities of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Her appearance marked a significant escalation in a political battle that has simmered for months.
Clinton testified at 11:00 a.m. EST (16:00 GMT) in Chappaqua, New York, near the family’s residence, following sustained pressure from lawmakers demanding her cooperation. According to BBC News, her husband, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, is scheduled to give his own testimony on Friday.
Although such congressional depositions are typically conducted privately, the Clintons have advocated for greater openness, arguing that transparency would help prevent selective leaks and political manipulation of their statements.
Their decision to comply represents a notable reversal from their earlier position. Both had initially characterised the summons as politically driven and resisted appearing before the committee. However, faced with the possibility of contempt-of-Congress proceedings, they ultimately agreed to testify.
A spokesperson for Bill Clinton stated that the former president and his wife intend to “set a precedent that applies to everyone,” signalling their willingness to cooperate while also pushing back against what they see as partisan manoeuvring.
Hillary Clinton has repeatedly denied any connection to Epstein. In a recent interview in Berlin, she insisted that she has “nothing to hide” and reiterated her support for the full public release of all relevant files, arguing that transparency is essential. She said she does not recall ever meeting or speaking with Epstein but acknowledged encountering his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, on a few occasions. Maxwell, who is currently serving a prison sentence for sex trafficking, attended the 2010 wedding of the Clintons’ daughter, Chelsea, in New York.
Bill Clinton, for his part, has admitted to knowing Epstein but has consistently denied any involvement in or knowledge of his criminal conduct. He has said he cut off contact with the financier roughly 20 years ago and has expressed regret over the association.
Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Over the years, he cultivated ties with influential figures across politics, business, and entertainment. Recently declassified documents released in stages by the U.S. Department of Justice have included Bill Clinton’s name in flight logs and other materials. However, as with other prominent individuals mentioned in the records—including former President Donald Trump—being listed does not automatically imply criminal wrongdoing.
The Clintons have accused House Republicans, particularly Committee Chairman James Comer, of politicising the investigation. They described the legal demands as an attempt to embarrass political opponents, alleging that the effort aligns with directives from Trump.
Despite partisan tensions, some Democratic members of the committee supported initiating contempt proceedings when the couple first declined to appear, underscoring the intense political scrutiny surrounding the case.
Comer has defended the probe as necessary and bipartisan, arguing that calling both Clintons to testify reinforces the principle that no individual is above the law.
Bill Clinton’s scheduled testimony is expected to be historic, marking the first time a former U.S. president has appeared before a congressional panel since Gerald Ford testified in 1983.
As hearings continue and lawmakers from both parties prepare to address the media, attention remains focused on whether the testimonies will clarify Epstein’s network of influence or further deepen the political divisions that have characterised the investigation from the outset.