Former President Bill Clinton told lawmakers during his closed-door deposition that President Donald Trump never indicated involvement in Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal conduct, according to remarks relayed by House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-KY)
“Trump has never said anything to me to make me think he was involved,” Clinton told the committee, Comer said during a break in testimony.
That account was quickly disputed by Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), who said Comer’s summary was “not an accurate description” of Clinton’s remarks.
Garcia added that Clinton’s testimony raised “some very important new questions about comments President Trump has actually made in the past.”
The deposition took place in Chappaqua, New York, where Clinton appeared under subpoena before the House Oversight Committee. He is the first former president compelled to testify before Congress against his will.
President Donald Trump addressed reporters outside the White House while Clinton was being questioned. “I like him,” Trump said.
“I don’t like seeing him deposed, but they certainly went after me,” the president added.
Trump had previously said, “It bothers me that somebody is going after Bill Clinton,” and described the former president as someone he still liked.
Clinton opened his testimony by insisting, “I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong,” regarding his relationship with Epstein.
He told lawmakers, “You’ll often hear me say that I don’t recall. That might be unsatisfying. But I’m not going to say something I’m not sure of.”
Clinton also criticized Republicans for compelling Hillary Clinton to testify. “You made Hillary come in,” he said. “She had nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. Nothing.”
“She has no memory of even meeting him,” Clinton added. “She neither traveled with him nor visited any of his properties.”
New photographs released in recent months by Congress and the Department of Justice show Clinton aboard Epstein’s private jet and in social settings with Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year federal sentence related to sex trafficking minors, per the Daily Mail.
In a previous declaration, Clinton acknowledged flying on Epstein’s plane in 2002 and 2003 in connection with Clinton Foundation travel. He said Epstein “offered a plane that was big enough to accommodate me, my staff and my US Secret Service detail.”
Clinton stated he never visited Epstein’s private island, Little St. James. Maxwell also told investigators that Clinton was never there.
Democratic lawmakers outside the deposition called for President Trump to testify as well. Garcia said, “We’re demanding immediately that we ask President Trump to testify in front of our committee.”
Comer responded that President Trump has answered questions about Epstein from members of the press.
The deposition was recorded and is expected to be released following review by the Clintons’ legal team. The Oversight Committee continues to examine documents and testimony related to Epstein’s connections with public figures.
