By Gloria Ogbonna
Former first lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appeared before the House Oversight Committee on Thursday, firmly denying any knowledge of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activities. In her opening statement—later shared publicly on X—Clinton stated unequivocally that she had no awareness of Epstein’s crimes and no meaningful association with him.
“I had no idea about their criminal activities. I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein. I never flew on his plane or visited his island home or offices,” Clinton told lawmakers.
Speaking to reporters after the hearing, she reiterated her position, saying she had “answered every one of their questions as fully as I could” and emphasized, “I never met Jeffrey Epstein.” She added that she knew Ghislaine Maxwell only casually, describing her as “an acquaintance.”
“I don’t know how many times I had to say I didn’t know Jeffrey Epstein,” Clinton remarked, expressing frustration over repeated questions regarding any potential connection.
However, previously released documents tied to federal investigations into Epstein have kept public scrutiny focused on high-profile figures. Reporting earlier this year noted that Maxwell attended Chelsea Clinton’s wedding and was involved in activities surrounding the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), a philanthropic project launched by former President Bill Clinton after leaving the White House.
Clinton has acknowledged meeting Maxwell “on a few occasions” in the past but has sought to distance herself from both Maxwell and Epstein. Bill Clinton’s name, meanwhile, appeared multiple times in documents connected to the broader Epstein investigation, though he has also denied any wrongdoing.
During a prior Justice Department interview, Maxwell reportedly described herself as having a “very central” role in helping to establish the Clinton Global Initiative. She also indicated that Epstein was involved in supporting early efforts related to CGI. Documents referenced in media reports describe Maxwell’s participation in budget discussions for CGI’s inaugural conference, communications with Clinton aides, and coordination with Publicis Groupe, the firm that helped produce the initiative’s first event.
Additional allegations have surfaced in media reports. According to claims cited by the Daily Mail, an estate manager connected to Epstein alleged that Bill and Hillary Clinton visited Epstein’s Zorro Ranch property in New Mexico multiple times after leaving the White House.
The report claimed the Clintons, along with their daughter Chelsea, stayed in guest accommodations on the property rather than Epstein’s main residence. These allegations have not resulted in criminal charges against the Clintons, and they have denied any improper conduct.
Further fueling questions, the Department of Justice recently released an email indicating that Epstein had assisted in arranging a 2013 meeting between Hillary Clinton and former French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The context and nature of Epstein’s involvement in facilitating that meeting remain part of broader public debate.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) described Clinton’s testimony as “productive,” stating that lawmakers “learned a lot” during the session.
However, when questioned about specific details concerning the Clinton Global Initiative, Hillary Clinton at times directed inquiries toward her husband, responding, “You have to ask my husband.”
In her opening statement, Clinton sharply criticized the investigation, accusing committee members of engaging in partisan “fishing expeditions.” She argued that compelling her testimony served as a political distraction.
“You have compelled me to testify, fully aware that I have no knowledge that would assist your investigation, in order to distract attention from President Donald Trump’s actions and cover them up despite legitimate calls for answers,” she wrote. Clinton further contended that if lawmakers were serious about uncovering the full truth regarding Epstein’s trafficking crimes, they would question Trump directly under oath about references to him in investigative files.
President Donald Trump has denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.
As investigations and document disclosures continue to unfold, the testimony underscores how Epstein’s far-reaching network of associations with powerful political, financial, and social figures remains a source of intense public and political scrutiny.
While Clinton maintains she had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal conduct, questions surrounding his connections to prominent individuals across the political spectrum continue to reverberate in Washington and beyond.
Source Breitbart
Original article
Comments