In her prepared opening statement to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Thursday, Hillary Clinton suggested the panel’s monthslong Jeffrey Epstein investigation is “partisan political theater” — not a quest for truth, transparency or accountability.
The former secretary of State’s statement slams the committee for not asking President Donald Trump under oath about his appearances in the Epstein files or demanding testimony from Florida and New York prosecutors about Epstein’s infamous “sweetheart deal” in 2008 that allowed him to dodge federal sex trafficking charges and plead guilty to lesser state charges.
“Instead, 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,” Clinton said, according to her opening statement to the Oversight panel, which she posted on X.
“This institutional failure is designed to protect one political party and one public official, rather than to seek truth and justice for the victims and survivors, as well as the public who also want to get to the bottom of this matter,” Clinton continued. “My heart breaks for the survivors. And I am furious on their behalf.”
In a sworn declaration to the panel Jan. 13, Clinton denied any knowledge of the criminal activities of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, his convicted co-conspirator, and said she did not recall ever meeting Epstein.
Clinton is testifying Thursday behind closed doors in Chappaqua, New York, but Oversight Republicans told reporters they plan to release a video of the proceedings as soon as it is approved. Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, will testify Friday under the same circumstances.
The Clintons are not accused of any wrongdoing and have denied knowledge of any sex offenses by Epstein and Maxwell, who is now serving a 20-year prison sentence. Bill Clinton has acknowledged flying on Epstein’s plane on several occasions but has said he never visited Epstein’s private island.
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