Hillary Clinton Challenges House Oversight Chair To Hold Her Epstein Deposition ‘In Public’

Former Secretary of State and first lady Hillary Clinton on Thursday requested that her and former President Bill Clinton’s Jeffrey Epstein-related testimonies be public and on camera.

Clinton, who, along with her husband, finally agreed to appear for depositions before the House Oversight Committee later this month, accused House Republicans of playing “games” when they issued subpoenas for the Clintons to testify on their relationship with the late convicted sex offender. The House Oversight Committee is investigating the crimes committed by Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell as the Justice Department continues to release millions of documents from the case.

“For six months, we engaged Republicans on the Oversight Committee in good faith. We told them what we know, under oath,” Clinton said. “They ignored all of it. They moved the goalposts and turned accountability into an exercise in distraction.”

“So let’s stop the games,” she added. “If you want this fight, [Rep. James Comer (R-KY)], let’s have it—in public. You love to talk about transparency. There’s nothing more transparent than a public hearing, cameras on. We will be there.”

Comer responded to Clinton’s request and told conservative podcaster Benny Johnson that the testimonies “will be public” since the committee will release the transcripts, as well as audio and video. The depositions are scheduled to be recorded, with the recordings and transcripts released later, but Comer suggested that the committee is considering live-streaming the hearings.

“We hadn’t planned on it being live, but we’re seeing the legality of that, and it’s never been done before,” Comer said.

Earlier this week, the Clintons agreed to appear for depositions as the House was preparing to vote to hold the Democrats in contempt of Congress. The Clintons did not appear for their scheduled depositions last month, sparking outrage from Republican lawmakers who quickly began contempt proceedings.

Last week, nine Democrats joined with all Republicans on the House Oversight Committee to hold former President Bill Clinton in contempt, and three Democrats voted with Republicans to hold Hillary Clinton in contempt. The full House vote on holding the Democratic couple in contempt was expected to take place on Wednesday, but on Monday, the Clintons changed course and agreed to appear for their depositions.

Hillary Clinton is scheduled to appear before the Oversight Committee on February 26, while Bill Clinton is set to testify on February 27. Oversight Committee Chairman Comer said the Clintons “completely caved” after “it became clear that the House of Representatives would hold them in contempt.”

“We look forward to questioning the Clintons as part of our investigation into the horrific crimes of Epstein and Maxwell, to deliver transparency and accountability for the American people and for survivors,” Comer added.

The Clintons have not been accused of any wrongdoing related to Epstein’s sex crimes. Bill Clinton was a friend of Epstein’s in the early 2000s, traveling with the financier numerous times on Epstein’s plane, which was used for sex trafficking. The former president was also seen in a picture getting a back massage from Chauntae Davies, one of Epstein’s accusers. None of Epstein’s victims has accused Bill Clinton of any wrongdoing.

The Clintons have argued that they “already provided the limited information they possess about Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell” in sworn statements they sent to the Oversight Committee. Comer, however, said that the Clintons need to answer questions under oath.