Former US President Bill Clinton sits for questioning today in a rare congressional deposition about his past connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The closed-door session forms part of the Republican-led House Oversight Committee’s broader investigation into Epstein’s network.

This Bill Clinton Epstein testimony marks the first time a former president has been compelled to appear before Congress in more than 40 years. Democrats, including Hillary Clinton who testified on Thursday, argue the probe serves political aims rather than genuine oversight.

Historic Bill Clinton Epstein Testimony Begins

The deposition takes place in Chappaqua, New York, at the Clintons’ residence area. Lawmakers will question Clinton about flights on Epstein’s plane in the early 2000s for Clinton Foundation humanitarian work. Clinton has long maintained he cut ties with Epstein before the financier’s 2008 conviction for sex offences and never visited Epstein’s private island.

Newly released photographs from US Department of Justice files show Clinton reclining in a hot tub and swimming with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s accomplice. Mere presence in the files does not suggest wrongdoing, and Clinton faces no criminal accusations.

The committee holds powers to compel answers under oath. Proceedings remain behind closed doors despite the Clintons’ calls for public, televised sessions.

Background to the Congressional Probe

Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. He had earlier pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting sex from underage girls. The House Oversight Committee now examines links between Epstein and powerful figures following fresh Justice Department document releases.

Hillary Clinton appeared before the same panel on Thursday for more than six hours. She stated clearly that she never flew on Epstein’s plane, never visited his island and had no knowledge of his crimes.

The Clintons initially resisted subpoenas but agreed to testify after Republicans threatened contempt of Congress proceedings.

Democrats Demand Balance in Epstein Inquiry

Hillary Clinton used her opening statement to call for equal scrutiny of Donald Trump, who also appears in the Epstein files. “If this committee is serious about learning the truth about Epstein’s trafficking crimes… it would ask (Trump) directly under oath about the tens of thousands of times he shows up in the Epstein files,” she said.

Committee chair James Comer (R-Kentucky) noted after Hillary’s session that lawmakers had “a lot of questions” for Bill Clinton. Democrats describe the investigation as a partisan “fishing expedition” designed to target opponents.