The gradual release of the Epstein files has drawn major political figures into an increasingly intense national conversation.
Hillary Clinton recently spentĀ six hours under oathĀ before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee as part of the U.S. Congress’s widening investigationĀ into Jeffrey Epstein.Ā Before the session began, she made her position public ā and herĀ opening remarks quickly fueled online reactions.
Hillary Clinton speaks to the press after testifying in a deposition with the House Oversight Committee at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center on February 26, 2026 in New York | Source: Getty Images
Under Oath and Under Fire as She Denies Any Ties
Although theĀ closed-door depositionĀ was not aired live, Hillary shared herĀ opening statement on X ahead of her appearance before committee members.
She argued that the committee subpoenaed her based on the assumption thatĀ she had informationĀ relevant to the investigation into the criminal activities of convicted sex offenders Jeffrey andĀ Ghislaine Maxwell.

Hillary Clinton speaks to the press after testifying in a deposition with the House Oversight Committee at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center on February 26, 2026 in New York | Source: Getty Images
Hillary said that assumption was incorrect,Ā stating, “Let me be as clear as I can. I do not.” The 78-year-old reiterated what she had previously said in a sworn declaration on January 13, noting that sheĀ had no knowledgeĀ of their criminal investigations.
“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,” sheĀ declared.

Hillary Clinton speaks to the press after testifying in a deposition with the House Oversight Committee at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center on February 26, 2026 in New York | Source: Getty Images
Hillary added that, like many people,Ā she was horrifiedĀ by what she later learned about Jeffrey and Ghislaine’s crimes. SheĀ describedĀ it as “unfathomable” that Jeffrey received what she characterized as a slap on the wrist in 2008, saying it allowed him to continueĀ predatory behaviorĀ for another decade.
As she wrapped up, Hillary also referred to the subpoena as aĀ fishing expedition, accusing the committee of failing to do its job.

Hillary Clinton speaks at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center on February 26, 2026 in New York | Source: Getty Images
Turning her attention to PresidentĀ Donald Trump, sheĀ said, “If this committee is serious about learning the truth about Epstein’s trafficking crimes, it would not rely on press gaggles to get answers from our current president on his involvement; it would ask him directly under oath about the tens and thousands of times he shows up in the Epstein files.”
Shining the Spotlight on Victims and Accountability
Hillary, who spoke about spending her lifeĀ advocating forĀ women and girls, urged the committee to treat the matter with seriousness andĀ conduct thorough oversight.

Hillary Clinton speaks at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center on February 26, 2026 in New York | Source: Getty Images
She said she has worked throughout her career to combat abuses faced by women and girls, including trafficking, forced labor, andĀ sexual slavery.Ā “If you are new to this issue, let me tell you: Jeffrey Epstein was a heinous individual, but he’s far from alone,” sheĀ warned.
In closing, Hillary said Jeffrey’s victims ā along with millions of others affected by sex trafficking āĀ deserve justice.Ā She added that this can only be achieved if there are no cover-ups, no holding back, and no protection for individuals.

Hillary Clinton moderates the panel talk “Girls Just Want to Have Fundamental Rights: Fighting the Global Pushback” at the 62nd Munich Security Conference on February 14, 2026 in Germany | Source: Getty Images
After the deposition concluded, HillaryĀ briefly addressedĀ reporters outside. She again denied any association with Jeffrey and clarified that her only connection to Ghislaine wasĀ as an acquaintance.
She also saidĀ she was disappointedĀ that the testimonyĀ was not made public, noting that a public session would have spared her from having to characterize it herself.
Hillary then addressed the length of the proceedings. She explained that because both sides had agreed to a closed-door hearing, the sessionĀ had to pauseĀ when that agreement was broken. The deposition resumed only after an understanding was reached. It later emerged that the interruption followedĀ a leaked photograph of Hillary.
Social Media Erupts with Doubt and Conspiracy Theories
Netizens took to social media to share their views after Hillary spoke. One commenterĀ zeroedĀ in on the decision not to air the hearing,Ā “Why didn’t they let it be televised? The Clintons wanted thatā¦.”
Another shifted the focus to her husband,Ā asking,Ā “Why she is [sic] the one talking, where is Bill Clinton?”Ā A separate voiceĀ questionedĀ her appearance altogether,Ā “This is not HILLARY! This is the same double she used when she was Secretary .”
Subpoena Showdown and a Months-Long Legal Standoff
Before this deposition happened, the former U.S. Secretary of State and her husband, Bill Clinton, hadĀ pushed backĀ against theĀ panel’s subpoena, maintaining that itĀ was politically motivated.

Bill and Hillary Clinton at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial on July 26, 2000 in Washington, DC | Source: Getty Images
In January, the committee’s Republican Leader,Ā Representative James R. ComerĀ of Kentucky, set deadlines for Hillary and the former U.S. President to appear before the committee. Hours before that deadline expired, Bill and Hillary signaledĀ they would notĀ be heading to Capitol Hill for questioning by James and his panel.
Instead, they submitted anĀ eight-page legal letterĀ outlining why they believed the subpoenas were invalid and legally unenforceable. They followed it with a strongly worded joint message, making clear they were prepared to challenge James on the matter for as long as necessary.

Bill and Hillary Clinton speaks during an event about Social Security and Medicare in the East Room of the White House on February 17, 1999 | Source: Getty Images
In their letter, Bill and Hillary pointed out that they had alreadyĀ provided sworn statementsĀ to James ā similar to those he had accepted from several former law enforcement officials who were subpoenaed but ultimately excused from testifying.
The couple consistently maintained that theyĀ possess no knowledgeĀ relevant to the investigation. James eventually held a scheduled deposition session, where a chair was left empty to underscoreĀ Bill’s absence.Ā James spoke to the media afterwards, saying Jeffrey had visited the White HouseĀ 17 timesĀ during Bill’s presidency.

Bill and Hillary Clinton pose at The Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on January 17, 2024 in New York City | Source: Getty Images
He maintained that no one was accusing Bill of wrongdoing, but emphasized that thereĀ were still questionsĀ the committee wanted answered.
This back-and-forth dragged on for months until James threatenedĀ to take stepsĀ to hold Bill and Hillary inĀ contempt of CongressĀ proceedings. The couple then agreed to testify. Bill is now also scheduled to sit for a deposition on Friday,Ā February 27, 2026, regarding his ties to Jeffrey.

Bill and Hillary Clinton pose backstage at the new play “Leopoldstadt” on Broadway at The Longacre Theatre on June 28, 2023 in New York City | Source: Getty Images
Allies Push Back as Details Surface
Aside from Hillary and her husband, Bill’sĀ former deputy chief of staff, Angel UreƱa, has also spoken out. She opened up in aĀ statement on XĀ after the December 19, 2025, release of documents and photos tied to the investigation into sex traffickerĀ Jeffrey Epstein.
Bill appeared in several of theĀ images made publicĀ by the Department of Justice (DOJ) under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which wasĀ signed into lawĀ by Donald on November 19. Consequently, Angel posted on X criticizing the DOJ’s decision to release the files late on a Friday, arguing that the move was not intended to protect Bill.

Bill Clinton speaks onstage during the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting on September 24, 2025 in New York City | Source: Getty Images
In the statement, Angel referenced the White House and dismissed suggestions that theĀ timing of the releaseĀ was meant to shield Bill. The message also pointed to Donald, who is likewise seen in some of the Epstein file photos. Angel suggested the release was aimed at diverting attention from other matters rather than focusing on Bill.
She also cited remarks by White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, who said thereĀ was no evidenceĀ that BillĀ made numerous tripsĀ to Jeffrey’s private island, Little St. James. In closing, Angel drew a distinction between two groups of people.

Bill Clinton at an event celebrating the Community Development Financial Institutions FUND (CDFI) at the U.S. Treasury Department on November 21, 2024 in Washington, DC | Source: Getty Images
The first are those whoĀ had no knowledgeĀ of Jeffrey’s crimes andĀ distanced themselvesĀ before the allegations surfaced, and the second are those whoĀ maintained relationshipsĀ afterward.
Angel maintained that Bill belongedĀ to the first groupĀ and suggested that no delay or maneuvering by others would alter that characterization.

Bill Clinton speaks during the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) meeting at the Hilton Midtown on September 19, 2023 in New York City | Source: Getty Images
While Hillary andĀ Bill Clinton’sĀ position on the matterĀ has remained unchanged, attention is now shifting to what may emerge next. With Bill’s upcoming deposition, many are watching closely to see whether anyĀ new details surfaceĀ once he appears before the committee.
