Bill Clinton and Hillary set for Epstein deposition: What to know
Hillary Clinton resumed closed-door testimony in the House Oversight Committee's probe of Jeffrey Epstein after a photo leak halted the proceeding, and bill clinton is due to testify the following day. The sessions, scheduled in Chappaqua, New York, are part of a congressionally mandated deposition process that will be recorded and transcribed.
Why the hearing paused
The former secretary of state’s testimony was abruptly paused when a photo taken inside the closed-door session was released. Democrats on the Republican-led House Oversight Committee defended Clinton and called the release of the photo "completely against the rules. " Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert was later seen leaving the deposition after she sent a photo of the former secretary of state to a conservative influencer.
Hillary Clinton’s opening statement
In her opening statement, Clinton accused the Republican-led House Oversight Committee of "partisan political theater" and called on members to request that President Donald Trump testify. She told lawmakers she has no information on Epstein's crimes and does not recall ever meeting or speaking to him. Live coverage noted the hearing had gone on for more than three hours and described it as unclear how long the testimony would last or whether lawmakers or Clinton herself would speak further.
Bill Clinton scheduled Friday
Former US President Bill Clinton is set to testify on Friday. He has previously said he took trips on Epstein's plane but denies any knowledge of, or involvement in, Epstein's crimes. The depositions of both Clintons will be held near their home in Chappaqua, New York, rather than on Capitol Hill, and both will be conducted behind closed doors.
What a deposition entails
The sessions are sworn, out-of-court testimony given as part of a congressional investigation. Witnesses testify under oath, behind closed doors, and respond to questions from committee lawyers and investigators. The committee will record and transcribe the testimony, and knowingly providing false statements can result in legal consequences. The committee has not publicly confirmed exact start times; congressional depositions are typically scheduled during normal business hours, often starting between 9 and 10 a. m. local time (14: 00-15: 00 GMT). Earlier iterations of this subpoena had ordered appearances at 10 a. m. (15: 00 GMT).
Committee makeup and context
The House Oversight Committee, described as one of the most powerful bodies in Congress, is controlled by Republicans in the House. The committee comprises 25 Republican representatives, including its chairman James Comer of Kentucky, and 21 Democrats led by Robert Garcia. Representative Comer, the Republican chair of the committee, said: "No one is accusing the Clintons of any wrongdoing. We just have a lot of questions. "
How the Clintons came to testify
The Clintons initially resisted appearing, arguing the inquiry was politically motivated. They agreed to give depositions after the House signalled it was prepared to move toward a bipartisan vote to hold them in contempt, a step that could have led to criminal charges. The agreement follows months of tense exchanges between the Clintons and Representative James Comer.
Previous scheduling and missed appearances
Bill Clinton’s deposition had been sought earlier. His deposition was first requested for October 2025 and later rescheduled for December; he declined the December date, citing a funeral. A follow-up subpoena set a new date of January 13, 2026, but he did not attend that session.
The public record in the Epstein documents encompasses millions of files relating to the late sex offender; there is no suggestion that appearing in those documents implies any wrongdoing. Coverage was edited by Oliver O'Connell and Adam Goldsmith, with Sarah Smith and Nada Tawfik in Chappaqua, New York. commentator Richard Goodstein was asked whether top Republican figures might also be called; he said: "There is zero chance that these Republicans controlling Congress will call any Republican to task for responding to their dealings with Epstein. It's sad, but I think that's the fact. Nobody should hold their breath on any Republican being asked about their relationship with Epstein, that's sadly not on the cards. "
Both Clintons’ depositions are scheduled for Thursday, February 26 for Hillary and Friday, February 27 for Bill, to be held behind closed doors, transcribed and filmed, with the committee's precise times unconfirmed.
Observers should note it remains unclear how long each session will last or whether further testimony from lawmakers will follow.
