Former First Lady Hillary Clinton arrived at the Center for Performing Arts in Chappaqua, N.Y., to testify under oath in the House committee’s ongoing investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in prison in 2019. The deposition, which came after months of legal battles with the committee, marked a key moment in the probe.

Testimony and Political Conflict

Both Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton had contested subpoenas issued by the committee, led by Republican Rep. James R. Comer of Kentucky, arguing that the requests were invalid, unenforceable, and politically motivated. The tensions escalated when Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, a Republican committee member, leaked an image of Hillary Clinton testifying, which was quickly shared by right-wing podcaster Benny Johnson on social media.

In a detailed opening statement provided to the committee, Hillary Clinton criticized the Republicans for using her as a prop in “partisan political theater,” accusing them of conducting an investigation “designed to protect one political party and one public official, rather than to seek truth and justice for the victims and survivors.”

“You have compelled me to testify, fully aware that I have no knowledge that would assist your investigation, in order to distract attention from President Trump’s actions and to cover them up despite legitimate calls for answers,” she said.

Testimony Details and Reactions

During the deposition, Hillary Clinton stated she did not recall ever meeting Epstein and had not flown on his plane or visited his properties. She repeated these claims multiple times, emphasizing that she had no knowledge of Epstein’s activities.

The session was disrupted when the leaked photo of Hillary Clinton testifying, showing her with a weary expression, sparked an outcry. Her lawyers immediately objected, demanding that journalists be allowed inside to document the proceedings. House Democrats noted that Republicans had refused to grant the Clintons’ request for a public hearing.

Representative Yassamin Ansari of Arizona, a Democrat, described the deposition as “an incredibly unserious clown show,” saying Republicans were “more concerned with getting their photo op” than holding anyone accountable.

Representative Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the committee, criticized the Republicans for violating the committee’s rules by releasing images from inside the room. He stated that he was demanding the full, unedited transcript of the deposition from Rep. Comer within 24 hours of its conclusion.

Focus on Trump and Political Motives

Throughout the day, Democrats involved in the proceedings expressed frustration, stating that the deposition had yielded little of significance. “Secretary Clinton is puzzled as to why she’s here answering questions,” said Representative Suhas Subramanyam of Virginia. “I’m trying to figure out what else to ask her. She doesn’t know much.”

Republicans spent hours questioning Hillary Clinton about Epstein’s alleged involvement in raising money for the Clinton Global Initiative. However, she explained that she had not been involved in the foundation’s operations during that time.

“We are talking to the wrong person today,” Subramanyam said. “Who we should be talking to instead is people who are actually mentioned in the files.”

Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina pressed Hillary Clinton about her husband’s friendship with Epstein and asked about photographs showing Bill Clinton receiving a back rub from a young woman. Hillary Clinton responded coolly, stating she was not there to discuss her feelings.

After the deposition, Hillary Clinton noted that the questions from Republicans had strayed far from anything related to Epstein. She mentioned being asked about UFOs and questions related to the false Pizzagate conspiracy theory.

Bill Clinton’s scheduled deposition on Friday will be the first time a former president has been compelled against his will to testify before a congressional committee. Speaking to reporters ahead of the deposition, Rep. Comer defended his decision to investigate Hillary Clinton, promising that both sessions would be long and thorough.

He noted that some Democrats on the committee had voted to hold both Clintons in contempt of Congress if they did not appear to testify. He reiterated his claim that Hillary Clinton was of interest to the committee because Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime companion, attended her daughter Chelsea Clinton’s wedding.

Some Democrats on the Oversight Committee were careful not to criticize Republicans for investigating the Clintons, stating that they were happy to question anyone who might have knowledge of Epstein’s and Maxwell’s crimes. Others, however, expressed outrage.

“There is no indication — zero, zip, zilch, nada — that Secretary Clinton had any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes,” said Representative James R. Walkinshaw of Virginia. “My fear is we’re here today as part of a political exercise, part of a long-running fever dream where Republicans want to lock up Secretary Clinton.”