Hillary Clinton: hillary clinton challenges Republican-led House Epstein probe
Former secretary of state hillary clinton was subpoenaed to testify before a Republican-led House panel probing ties to Jeffrey Epstein and published her opening statement online before a Thursday appearance, accusing the panel of seeking to protect "one political party and one public official. " The timing is heightened by the announcement that her husband, former president Bill Clinton, is set to testify before the same panel on Friday.
Hillary Clinton’s opening statement called out an "institutional failure"
In the written remarks she posted online before appearing, Hillary Clinton criticized what she described as an "institutional failure" in the U. S. government to "seek truth and justice for the victims and survivors. " She accused the Republican-led panel — made up of members of the House of Representatives — of trying to shield allies, writing that lawmakers were attempting to "protect one political party and one public official. "
Subpoenas, threatened contempt and the Clintons’ response
Clinton had been subpoenaed to testify in person on Thursday. Her husband, Bill Clinton, is scheduled to testify before the same panel on Friday, and both are Democrats. The pair have maintained they had no knowledge of Epstein's criminal activity and have said they have provided all relevant information to the lawmakers on the panel. Both Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton were threatened with charges of contempt after resisting the subpoena to appear in person.
Questions about the panel’s procedures and closed-door sessions
Hillary Clinton questioned why the panel has permitted other subpoenaed individuals to answer in writing rather than in person, and why hearings have taken place behind closed doors. She also accused Republicans of using the hearings as a red herring to divert blame away from the administration of President Donald Trump, writing: "You have compelled me to testify, fully aware I have no knowledge that would assist in your investigation, in order to distract attention from President Trump’s actions and to cover them up. "
Epstein’s history: convictions, charges and death
The conflict centers on a long-running push to pursue accountability for those who may have been involved in shielding Jeffrey Epstein from justice. Epstein, a wealthy financier, cultivated contacts with high-powered individuals in politics, academia and the arts, and his circle of friends included both Bill Clinton and Donald Trump. He was a convicted sex offender whose victims, experts say, number in the hundreds.
In 2008, Epstein was convicted in Florida of soliciting a minor for prostitution and served 13 months of an 18-month sentence under a plea deal that was criticized as overly lenient. In 2019, federal prosecutors charged Epstein with running a sex-trafficking ring, but Epstein, 66, died by apparent suicide while in custody awaiting trial.
Political fallout and lingering questions about Trump’s ties
Speculation has continued to grow over how Epstein’s influential social circle may have aided his crimes. The scandal has been a thorn in the side of the Trump administration, which faced backlash over its initial resistance to publishing the government’s full Epstein file. Media reports over the last year have highlighted elements of Donald Trump’s past relationship with Epstein, including a sexually suggestive birthday note the Republican leader appeared to have written.
