Bill Clinton Deposition: Former President Says He 'Did Nothing Wrong' in House Epstein Inquiry
In the bill clinton deposition before the House oversight committee investigating Jeffrey Epstein, former president Bill Clinton delivered an opening statement that framed his participation as cooperative and insisted he had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes. His comments and developments tied to other figures have sharpened scrutiny around ties to the disgraced financier.
Bill Clinton Deposition: Opening statement and cooperation
Clinton opened his testimony by saying he was cooperating in the Epstein investigation out of love of country and a desire for victims to heal. He told lawmakers, "I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong. " He further emphasized that he had no idea of the crimes Epstein was committing, stressing that what matters to him is what he saw and what he did or did not do when he encountered Epstein.
Key exchanges on Capitol Hill
The hearing included tense moments and cross-party reactions. Republican representative Nancy Mace, of South Carolina, praised New Mexico’s Melanie Stansbury, a Democrat, for her questioning of the former president, saying Stansbury showed courage and bravery and adding, "Every survivor thanks you. " Outside the hearing, representative Ro Khanna said Democrats on the House oversight committee have the votes to force Trump’s commerce secretary Howard Lutnick to testify over his ties to Epstein, declaring, "I believe we will have the votes to subpoena him. " Khanna spoke outside the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center in New York ahead of Bill Clinton’s deposition.
Howard Lutnick under scrutiny
Howard Lutnick has drawn heightened attention after case files released by the DoJ last year appeared to contradict his earlier statements that he had distanced himself from Epstein in 2005. Lutnick was described as a longtime next-door neighbor of Epstein in New York. He had said several months ago that he severed ties with Epstein following a 2005 tour of Epstein’s home that he and his wife found disturbing after Epstein used sexual innuendo to explain why he owned a massage table in a room of his home. Republican Nancy Mace joined calls for Lutnick to testify before the committee.
Timeline of Lutnick-Epstein interactions
- 2005: Lutnick said he severed ties with Epstein after a visit to Epstein’s home.
- 2011: DoJ case files show Lutnick attended an event at Epstein’s home.
- 2012: DoJ case files show Lutnick’s family had lunch with Epstein on his private island, four years after Epstein was sentenced to 13 months in jail for procuring a minor for prostitution.
- Earlier this month: Lutnick admitted to the 2012 lunch in testimony before the Senate appropriations committee, saying, "I did have lunch with him, as I was on a boat going across on a family vacation. My wife was with me, as were my four children and nannies. I had another couple with – they were there as well, with their children. And we had lunch on the island, that is true, for an hour. "
What this hearing means and what comes next
The bill clinton deposition placed the former president’s public defense on the record while reinforcing that he has not been accused of wrongdoing. Simultaneously, questions about Howard Lutnick’s interactions with Epstein and the DoJ’s case-file disclosures have given committee members momentum to pursue further testimony, with a subpoena effort now in public view. Developments remain fluid and the committee’s next steps will determine whether additional witnesses are compelled to appear.
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