The US House Oversight Committee has released more than nine hours of video from closed-door depositions of former president Bill Clinton and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton over their past connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The footage shows both Clintons denying any prior knowledge of Epstein’s crimes while answering pointed questions from Republican lawmakers.
Tensions rose during Hillary Clinton’s testimony when she learned that a photograph taken inside the deposition room had been leaked. She reacted sharply and said she was “done” if lawmakers had broken agreed rules. She added that they could hold her in contempt if they wished.
Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert admitted she shared a photograph from inside the room but said she posted it before proceedings began. Clinton’s legal team strongly objected and described the leak as unacceptable and unprofessional. They said Clinton had requested an open hearing that would have allowed public access, but the committee rejected that request. Lawmakers paused the session briefly before continuing.
During questioning, Boebert raised “Pizzagate”, a widely discredited conspiracy theory alleging a child abuse ring linked to Clinton associates.
Hillary Clinton dismissed the claim as “totally made up” and expressed disbelief that lawmakers referenced it. Her lawyers objected to further questions on the subject.
Republican lawmaker Eric Burlison asked Clinton about the possible release of government files related to unidentified flying objects. She said she supported making public any information that authorities could lawfully disclose.
In a separate deposition, Bill Clinton faced questions about whether President Donald Trump should testify. Clinton said lawmakers should decide but added that Trump “did know” Epstein well.
Clinton recalled a conversation with Trump in the early 2000s at a fundraiser held at one of Trump’s golf courses. He said Trump told him he and Epstein had once been friends but later fell out over a property deal. Clinton said Trump did not suggest any improper conduct during that exchange.
In his opening remarks, Bill Clinton described himself as only a “brief acquaintance” of Epstein. He said their association ended years before Epstein’s crimes became public. He said he did not witness any wrongdoing and expressed sympathy for Epstein’s victims.
Lawmakers also questioned him about a photograph released by the US Justice Department that showed him in a hot tub with an unidentified person whose face had been redacted.
Clinton said he did not remember the photograph being taken and believed it was captured in Brunei at the end of an official trip. He said he briefly used a hotel pool at the suggestion of the Sultan of Brunei.
He denied any sexual activity and said he did not know the other person in the image.
Throughout their depositions, both Clintons maintained that they had no awareness of Epstein’s criminal activities during their interactions with him.
