What to expect from the Clintons’ historic legal showdown over Epstein files
Former President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary, have been subpoenaed to speak on Jeffrey Epstein to the House Oversight Committee today.
Both Bill and Hillary have continued to deny any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein, but are mentioned multiple times in the files.
Ahead of his testimony, Bill wrote on social media: ‘I have called for the full release of the Epstein files. I have provided a sworn statement of what I know.
‘And just this week, I’ve agreed to appear in person before the committee. But it’s still not enough for Republicans on the House Oversight Committee.’
Hillary added: ‘There’s something about this Administration’s attitude towards this, which I think leads us to conclude they have something to hide. We don’t. We’ve been willing to say whatever we know.’
What is a Congressional Desposition?
The deposition the Clintons will give over the next two days is part of the congressional investigation into the Epstein files.
It’s not an official court testimony, but the Clintons will testify under oath while answering questions from lawyers and investigators. The information will be filmed, transcribed and shared.
The couple previously said they would not testify, but after being threatened with contempt of court, they agreed.
James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, previously said: ‘No one is accusing the Clintons of any wrongdoing. We just have a lot of questions.’
What is the Oversight Committee investigating?
It’s important to clarify that the oversight committee is not conducting a criminal investigation, but gathering information on those associated with paedophile Epstein.
‘While the Department undertakes efforts to uncover and publicly disclose additional information related to Mr Epstein and Ms Maxwell’s cases, it is imperative that Congress conduct oversight of the federal government’s enforcement of sex trafficking laws generally and specifically its handling of the investigation and prosecution of Mr Epstein and Ms Maxwell,’ Chairman Comer said.
How are the Clintons connected to Epstein?
Clinton and Epstein have a long history, but it’s vital to note that it doesn’t mean Clinton was involved in any crimes.
For a long time, Epstein was a major donor to Democrats. Hillary received $20,000 from Epstein when she was fundraising in 1999 for the Democrats.
After his presidency was over, flight logs for Epstein’s private jet noted Bill Clinton as a passenger on trips to the Virgin Islands, Portugal, Siberia, Japan and China. The reasons for these trips haven’t been released.
Epstein, who was found dead in his prison cell in 2019, reportedly had in his Manhattan residence an oil painting of Bill Clinton wearing a blue dress and red heels and sitting in the Oval Office.
The ex-president had ‘one brief visit’ to Epstein’s apartment in 2022, his spokesperson Angel Ureña said in 2019.
Ureña at the time added that ‘President Clinton knows nothing about the terrible crimes Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty to in Florida some years ago or those with which he has been recently charged in New York.’
Trump and his children were also noted as passengers on Epstein’s jet in the 1990s, on a trip to Washington, DC. He’s also denied any involvement with the paedophile’s crimes.
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