Former United States President Bill Clinton delivered a firm and carefully structured opening statement before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, rejecting allegations that he had any knowledge of the criminal activities of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He also strongly criticised lawmakers for issuing a subpoena to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, arguing that she had no connection to Epstein and should not have been drawn into the proceedings.
Speaking from his residence in Chappaqua, New York, Clinton framed his testimony as both a defence of democratic principles and an expression of solidarity with victims of Epstein’s abuse. He accused some members of Congress of politicising the inquiry and transforming what he described as a serious matter into a partisan confrontation.
In prepared remarks released prior to the closed-door session, Clinton emphasised the foundational principle of legal accountability in American governance. “America was built upon the idea that no person is above the law, even Presidents, especially Presidents,” he stated. He noted that while his prepared statement was public, only the committee could confirm what ultimately transpired during the confidential questioning.
Addressing the long-running scrutiny over his past association with Epstein, Clinton categorically denied having any awareness of Epstein’s criminal conduct during the period in which they had limited contact. He insisted that had he suspected wrongdoing, he would have acted decisively.
“As someone who grew up in a home with domestic abuse, not only would I not have flown on his plane if I had any inkling of what he was doing — I would have turned him in myself and led the call for justice for his crimes, not sweetheart deals,” Clinton said. He stressed that he neither witnessed inappropriate conduct nor participated in any illicit activities. “I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong,” he declared.
Clinton further asserted that his acquaintance with Epstein ended long before the financier’s crimes became publicly known. Referring to Epstein’s 2008 guilty plea on sex-related charges, Clinton remarked that the case remained concealed for years due to Epstein’s ability to hide his actions. “We are only here because he hid it from everyone so well for so long,” he said.
One of the most contentious aspects of his statement concerned the committee’s decision to compel Hillary Clinton to testify. The former president forcefully objected to her inclusion in the investigation, stating that she had no involvement whatsoever with Epstein. “You made Hillary come in. She had nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. Nothing,” he said emphatically.
According to Clinton, his wife had no recollection of ever meeting Epstein and had never travelled with him or visited any of his residences. He characterised the subpoena as unwarranted and ethically questionable, suggesting that it expanded the scope of the inquiry beyond legitimate investigative boundaries. In his view, including her among witnesses undermined the seriousness of the proceedings and contributed to the perception of partisan motivation.
While affirming his willingness to cooperate fully with congressional investigators, Clinton cautioned against what he described as political grandstanding. He urged lawmakers to focus on factual clarity and institutional accountability rather than public spectacle. “Democracy requires every person to play their part,” he said, appealing for a process grounded in evidence rather than political advantage.
Clinton also addressed the likelihood that, under oath, he might respond to certain questions with “I don’t recall.” He explained that he would not speculate about events that occurred decades earlier. “This was all a long time ago,” he noted, adding that he was bound by his oath to avoid conjecture or imprecision in sworn testimony.
Despite firmly defending his own conduct, Clinton reiterated that the primary objective of his appearance was to support justice for victims. He acknowledged the gravity of the harm inflicted by Epstein and underscored the importance of accountability. “The girls and women whose lives Jeffrey Epstein destroyed deserve not only justice, but healing,” he stated.
The hearing forms part of a broader congressional investigation into Epstein’s network of associates, the extent of his social and political connections, and the systemic failures that allowed his criminal conduct to continue for years before his arrest. Epstein died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on additional sex trafficking charges, intensifying public scrutiny over institutional oversight and accountability.
Clinton concluded his opening remarks by signalling readiness for rigorous questioning. “With that, Mr. Chairman, fire away,” he said, indicating his preparedness to respond directly to the committee’s inquiries.
The testimony marks another chapter in the ongoing national examination of Epstein’s associations and the responsibilities of public officials whose names have surfaced in connection with him. While Clinton firmly denied any wrongdoing or prior knowledge, the hearing reflects the continuing political and legal reverberations of one of the most controversial criminal cases in recent American history.
