 |
| Watch: The BBC interviews Hillary Clinton last week about Epstein links (Image: BBC) |
Hillary Clinton will appear on Thursday before a panel of the US House of Representatives that is investigating the crimes of late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The former Democratic secretary of state and presidential candidate recently agreed, along with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, to testify to the House Oversight Committee.
Both had previously refused to appear, claiming that the requests were politically motivated. They avoided any potential proceedings for contempt of Congress because they agreed to testify. According to her statements, Hillary Clinton does not recall meeting or speaking with Epstein. Her husband, who did know Epstein, has denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of Epstein's crimes.
Additionally, Bill Clinton has stated that he severed all ties with Epstein two decades ago and expressed regret for ever being associated with the financier, who passed away in 2019. On Friday, he is expected to give his own testimony. As a potential contempt vote loomed in the House, the couple's recent announcement that they would provide testimony marked a reversal of their defiant position. The decision to initiate contempt proceedings was supported by a number of Democratic committee members. James Comer, the Republican leader of the panel, has previously been accused by the Clintons of handling the investigation with "partisan politics." "Nothing more than a ploy to attempt to embarrass political rivals, as President Trump has directed," they said of the legal summonses. They maintained that sworn statements covering their "limited information" regarding Epstein had already been submitted. Nonetheless, they would appear, said a spokesperson for Bill Clinton, and "they look forward to setting a precedent that applies to everyone".
Comer, on the other hand, stated that the bipartisan effort to obtain a deposition from both Clintons demonstrated that "no-one is above the law." The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently released material discovered during federal investigations into Epstein's crimes in stages, including text and images in which Bill Clinton appears. The full scope of Epstein's relationships, even after he was found guilty of sex crimes, is revealed by the documents. The fact that someone appears in the files, like the current president, Donald Trump, who had a previous relationship with Epstein, does not imply any wrongdoing. The Clintons' hearings will take place close to their home in Chappaqua, New York.
Such depositions normally occur behind closed doors, though the Clintons reportedly fought for their own testimony to be public so that selective portions of their evidence could not be leaked to the media.
Both Democratic and Republican members of the committee are expected to address reporters after Hillary Clinton's deposition, which is scheduled for 11:00 EST (16:00 GMT).
Bill Clinton's Friday appearance will mark the first time a former president of the United States has testified before a congressional panel since Gerald Ford did so in 1983.
Source: BBC
Posts
0 Comments