Former President Bill Clinton is testifying Friday before members of Congress investigating convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, answering questions about his ties to the disgraced financier that spanned more than two decades. The closed-door deposition in Chappaqua, New York, marks the first time a former president has been compelled to testify before Congress. It comes a day after Clinton's wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, was herself questioned by lawmakers.
No accusations, but burning questions.
Bill Clinton was also not accused of any wrongdoing. Yet lawmakers are seeking to define what accountability means in the United States, at a time when men around the world have been impeached for maintaining ties with Epstein after his 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution.
Hillary Clinton defends herself
Hillary Clinton told lawmakers she was unaware of Epstein's sexual abuse of minors and didn't even remember meeting him. But Bill Clinton will have to answer questions about his well-documented relationship with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, even though it dates back to the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Republicans are rubbing their hands together.
Republicans welcomed the opportunity to scrutinize the former Democratic president under oath.
"The Clintons answered very few, if any, questions regarding their knowledge of or involvement with Epstein and Maxwell," said Representative James Comer, Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee. "No one is accusing the Clintons of any wrongdoing at this time.", he added.
Republicans have wanted to question Bill Clinton for years, especially after conspiracy theories emerged following Epstein's 2019 suicide in a New York jail cell while facing sex trafficking charges. Photos of Bill Clinton with Epstein and Maxwell have reignited these questions: some people appear on a plane and in a swimming pool, their faces blurred.
Epstein visited the White House several times during Bill Clinton's presidency.
Epstein also visited the White House several times during Clinton's presidency, and the pair later made several international trips for their humanitarian work.
As the deposition approached, Bill Clinton insisted that he had limited knowledge of Epstein and was unaware of any sexual abuse. "I think the timeline of her relationship with Epstein ended several years before Epstein's criminal activities were revealed."Hillary Clinton said at the end of her deposition on Thursday.
Democrats argue that this move sets a precedent that should also apply to the president Donald Trumpwho had his own relationship with Epstein. "We demand that President Trump immediately testify before our committee."said Representative Robert Garcia, the committee's top Democrat.
Democrats are also calling for the resignation of Trump's Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, a longtime neighbor of Epstein's in New York. Even after claiming to have severed ties with Epstein, records show he attended two events with Epstein in 2011 and 2012.
"He should be removed from office and, at the very least, appear before the commission."Robert Garcia said.
