Former US president Bill Clinton denied wrongdoing at a Congressional panel Friday on his well-documented links to Jeffrey Epstein, as Democrats seek to shift focus toward Donald Trump’s own ties to the convicted sex offender.
Former US President Bill Clinton told lawmakers he was unaware of Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activities during closed-door testimony before a congressional panel reviewing records linked to the disgraced financier. Clinton appeared before the House Oversight Committee a day after former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave private evidence, saying she did not recall meeting Epstein and had no relevant information about his crimes.
Clinton features prominently throughout the Epstein files, but he insists that he broke ties well before the disgraced billionaire’s 2008 conviction for sex offenses.
“I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong,” Clinton said in his opening statement, shared on social media.
The Republican chair of the House committee probing Epstein, James Comer, said ahead of Bill Clinton’s deposition he looked forward to “asking lots of questions.”
Democrats urge full testimony transparency
“I think it was telling that Secretary Clinton did not take the Fifth one time,” Garcia told reporters, referring to the constitutional protection defendants and witnesses sometimes cite when declining to answer questions in legal proceedings.
Garcia continued: “I think it’s important the president (Bill Clinton) do the same. I think he will answer questions today.”
Republican criticism and calls for additional witnesses
Mace described Hillary Clinton “screaming” during her deposition on Thursday.
“I hope that President Clinton is less unhinged than his wife was yesterday,” Mace said Friday outside the building where the House Oversight panel is convening.
Democrats dismissed Mace’s description, which Rep. Robert Garcia said proves the need for Comer to release the “full, unedited” video. The Clintons had wanted to testify publicly but Comer insisted on the private sessions.
Garcia called the Republican questioning Thursday a “disgrace” focused on old “conspiracy theories.” He praised Hillary Clinton for participating.
He reminded reporters Friday that Democrats still want the proceedings to be open “so that you can hear the answer and the questions directly.”
Mace says Howard Lutnick should testify on Epstein relationship
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., said ahead of Bill Clinton’s testimony Friday that Trump’s Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick should answer questions before the House Oversight Committee.
The secretary has admitted meeting Epstein after previously denying knowing him.
After Hillary Clinton’s testimony on Thursday, Comer would not rule out asking Lutnick to appear for questioning.
With inputs from agencies
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