Clinton Testifies on Epstein Ties as Democrats Call for Trump to Answer Questions

Former President Bill Clinton denied wrongdoing to a congressional panel probing his links to Jeffrey Epstein, as Democrats seek to shift focus onto President Donald Trump’s own ties to the late sex offender.

Mr. Clinton features prominently in the Epstein files but insists that he broke ties well before Epstein’s 2008 conviction for sex offenses. “I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong,” Mr. Clinton said in his opening statement, shared on social media (@BillClinton).

James Comer, the Republican chair of the House committee probing Epstein, stated, “we believe this was a exceptionally productive deposition that President Clinton answered every question – or attempted to answer every question.” However, Republican colleague Nancy Mace alleged “inconsistencies” in his testimony without providing specific examples.

Democrats Demand Trump’s Testimony

Democrats on the committee have reiterated their call for President Trump, who also has documented links to Epstein, to be questioned. “Let’s be real, we are talking to the wrong president,” said Democrat committee member Suhas Subramanyam, who also emphasized that Mr. Clinton had not dodged any questions.

In his statement, Mr. Clinton did not name Mr. Trump directly but said “no person is above the law, even presidents – especially presidents.”

President Trump responded by repeating his skepticism over the process, telling reporters he likes Mr. Clinton “and I don’t like seeing him deposed.”

Neither Mr. Clinton nor Mr. Trump has been accused of criminal wrongdoing by law enforcement in relation to Epstein, though both were acquainted with him and are mentioned in Justice Department files on Epstein.

Clinton and Epstein’s Association

The depositions are being held behind closed doors, with Mr. Clinton likening the proceedings to a “kangaroo court.” The couple has called for them to be open and televised.

Hillary Clinton, who testified Thursday, said she had never known Epstein or visited the properties where he hosted world celebrities and powerful business and political figures.

Mr. Clinton has acknowledged extensive interactions with Epstein but said he never visited the financier’s infamous private Caribbean island. Epstein was convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor, but died in a Recent York jail cell in 2019.

The Clintons initially rejected subpoenas ordering them to testify, but agreed to do so after House Republicans threatened to hold them in contempt of Congress.

Democrats argue the investigation is being weaponized to attack Mr. Trump’s political opponents rather than conduct legitimate oversight.

Photos from Epstein Files Surface

Previously unseen photographs from the files include one showing Mr. Clinton reclining in a hot tub and another depicting him swimming alongside Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s accomplice.

Mr. Clinton has acknowledged flying on Epstein’s private plane several times in the early 2000s for Clinton Foundation-related humanitarian work. “Jeffrey Epstein was in the White House 17 times even as Bill Clinton was President. We know that Bill Clinton flew on Jeffrey Epstein’s plane at least 27 times. So those are questions that we’re going to ask,” said Mr. Comer.

Mr. Clinton stated in his opening statement, “not only would I not have flown on his plane if I had any inkling of what he was doing – I would have turned him in.”

The depositions are being held in Chappaqua, New York, home to the Clintons, where dozens of journalists and Secret Service officers have converged.