BBC: Hillary Clinton told a congressional panel she “had no idea” about Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes, as she called for lawmakers to question President Donald Trump under oath about his past association with the late sex offender.
“I want to see the truth come out,” the ex-US secretary of state said after testifying behind closed doors for hours to a congressional committee investigating Epstein.
Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, will testify on Friday.
The couple resisted the panel’s subpoena, dismissing it as politically motivated, before agreeing to testify as potential contempt-of-Congress proceedings loomed against them. The Clintons and Trump deny wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.
After spending six hours on Thursday speaking to House Oversight Committee members, Clinton told reporters she was “disappointed” that the testimony was not made public, “so I wouldn’t have to be out here characterising it for you”.
She also commended Chairman James Comer for raising a series of significant questions about the nature of the investigation and for hearing her out about the areas she thinks need to be explored.
“I appreciated that. I want to see the truth come out, so that was a reassuring way to end a very long, repetitive deposition,” she said of Comer.
Clinton also said she criticised the Republican members of the committee for not asking any other person they deposed about Epstein or his convicted associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.
Bill Clinton has said he had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes, and that he cut off ties with him two decades ago.
He said their contact arose in connection with his charity work after he left the presidency, and he has voiced regret that he was ever associated with the financier, who died in a New York City jail in 2019.
Hillary Clinton released a copy of her opening statement on X ahead of Thursday’s hearing in Chappaqua, New York, near the Clinton home.
“I had no idea about their criminal activities,” Clinton said of Epstein and Maxwell.
The statement added: “I do not recall ever encountering Mr Epstein. I never flew on his plane or visited his island, homes or offices. I have nothing to add to that.”
