Bill Clinton appeared to make a dig at Donald Trump as he denied any wrongdoing ahead of his testimony to the Oversight Committee on Friday about his alleged links to the late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Questioning of former US president Bill Clinton has now started, and proceedings are taking place behind-closed-doors. Mr Clinton has released his opening statement as he faces questions from the House Oversight Committee. In his opening statement, which he posted on X, he said: « I had no idea of the crimes Epstein was committing. No matter how many photos you show me, I have two things that at the end of the day matter more than your interpretation of those 20-year-old photos. I know what I saw, and more importantly, what I didn’t see. I know what I did, and more importantly, what I didn’t do. I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong. »
The former U.S. president, issuing on X his prepared opening statement for his closed-doors deposition, said: « As someone who grew up in a home with domestic abuse, not only would I not have flown on his plane if I had any inkling of what he was doing—I would have turned him in myself and led the call for justice for his crimes, not sweetheart deals. »
However, in an apparent dig at Mr Trump, he started his opening statement with: « I’m here today for two reasons. The first is that I love my country. And America was built upon the idea that no person is above the law, even Presidents – especially Presidents. »
Mr Trump, who had appeared in pictures alongside Epstein, has not yet been called to testify. He has continued to deny any wrongdoing.
Mr Clinton also defended his wife Hillary, writing: « But before we start, I have to get personal. You made Hillary come in. She had nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. Nothing.
« She has no memory of even meeting him. She neither travelled with him nor visited any of his properties. Whether you subpoenaed 10 or 10,000 including her was simply not right. »
The chairman of the House Oversight Committee, James Comer, said the Clintons are not accused of wrongdoing but must answer questions about Epstein’s involvement with their charitable foundation.
Quoting Republican representative Anna Paulina Luna, who has been speaking outside the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, Bill Clinton is being « cooperative » and has been « pretty transparent » with his answers so far.
Proceedings are taking place behind closed doors, but the House Oversight Committee says video recordings will be released as soon as possible, she also said.
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