Many people are calling Hillary Clinton’s deposition an “absolute farce” after pointing out what they believe is the same glaring issue with how the questioning was handled.
On Thursday (February 26), the former First Lady faced hours of questioning behind closed doors from a congressional committee investigating her supposed links to Jeffrey Epstein.
The 78-year-old released her opening statement on X ahead of the hearing in Chappaqua, New York, making it clear she denies any knowledge of wrongdoing tied to the disgraced financier or his convicted associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.
“I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein. I never flew on his plane or visited his island, homes, or offices. I have nothing to add to that,” she penned.
“Like every decent person, I have been horrified by what we have learned about their crimes,” she continued. “It’s unfathomable that Mr. Epstein initially got a slap on the wrist in 2008, which allowed him to continue his predatory practices for another decade.”
Hillary Clinton speaks to the press after testifying in a closed-door deposition with the House Oversight Committee. Credit: David Dee Delgado / Getty
After spending six hours speaking to House Oversight Committee members, she told reporters she was “disappointed” that the testimony was not made public, “so I wouldn’t have to be out here characterising it for you,” BBC News reported.
Still, she said she welcomed tough questions. “I want to see the truth come out,” the former secretary of state said.
She also commended Chairman James Comer for raising key points during the session. “I appreciated that. I want to see the truth come out, so that was a reassuring way to end a very long, repetitive deposition,” she added.
Critics Say The Hearing Missed The Mark
While Clinton defended her testimony, many people online focused on what they described as inconsistencies in how the investigation has been handled.
One person on X reacted furiously after reports emerged about the line of questioning.
“Holy s***, Hillary Clinton said they asked her repeatedly if she knew Jeffrey Epstein, they asked her about UFOs and pizzagate,” the user wrote, pointing out: “And they NEVER asked any other witness about Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell…What an absolute farce.”
Another chimed in that it was “unbelievable,” while a third added: “UFO pizzagate….how is this affiliated with the Epstein Files…. Political theater. Another expensive taxpayer-funded wild goose chase!”
Clinton herself slammed Republican members of the committee for not asking any other person they deposed about Epstein or Maxwell.
Democrats Demand Trump Testify
During the deposition, Clinton pressed lawmakers to question President Donald Trump directly under oath about his past association with Epstein and his name appearing in the files.
Congressman Robert Garcia also demanded that Trump testify to the committee, saying: “That needs to happen right now.”
Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari, a Democrat from Arizona, described the proceedings as a very “unserious clown show” and accused Republicans of being more concerned with getting photos of Clinton than “actually getting to the truth and holding anyone accountable”.
Photo Leak Halts Deposition
At one point, the testimony was abruptly paused after a picture from inside the closed-door session was leaked.
Democrats said the release of the image, taken by Colorado Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, was “completely against the rules”.
Boebert said she sent a photo of Clinton from inside the deposition room to a conservative influencer and that it was taken prior to the start of the deposition.
Clinton later said the incident led her team to temporarily halt the hearing to ensure no additional rules were violated.
Hillary’s husband, former President Bill Clinton, is scheduled to appear before the same committee on Friday, February 27. Credit: Kevin Dietsch / Getty
Clinton, who previously ran for president, was legally summoned to testify. Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, is scheduled to appear before the same committee on Friday, February 27.
The Clintons had initially resisted a subpoena from the panel, previously describing the legal summonses as “nothing more than a ploy to attempt to embarrass political rivals, as President Trump has directed”.
Comer said it was a “shame” that it took seven months to arrange the deposition, though he acknowledged that Hillary answered most of their questions.
However, he added that there were some responses that committee members were not satisfied with.
“I don’t think it’s any type of being unfair in any way to the Clintons,” Comer previously said. “They’ve never answered questions, unlike President Trump who gets questioned every day by just about every one of you about his knowledge or involvement with Epstein.”
