Bill Clinton defends himself at Epstein deposition: 'I saw nothing and I did nothing wrong'

WASHINGTON, DC: Former President Bill Clinton said on Friday, February 27, that he had no knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes and did not witness any misconduct during their limited interactions, according to his prepared opening statement to the House Oversight Committee.

Clinton stated that his association with Epstein was brief and ended years before the crimes came to light. 

He emphasized that he did not observe any wrongdoing and rejected suggestions that photographs or past travel indicated otherwise.

Bill Clinton says 'I did nothing wrong'

Clinton said his acquaintance with Epstein was brief and ended years before the crimes became public.

“Though my brief acquaintance with Epstein ended years before his crimes came to light, and though I never witnessed during our limited interactions any indication of what was truly going on,” Clinton wrote.

“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.”

Clinton also addressed the existence of decades-old photographs, saying their interpretation does not change his account.

“First, 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.” 

He also said that had he been aware of wrongdoing, he would have acted.

“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,” he wrote.

He acknowledged that some responses during questioning may reflect the passage of time.

“You’ll often hear me say that I don’t recall. That might be unsatisfying. But I’m not going to say something I’m not sure of. This was all a long time ago.”

In prior sworn declarations, the Clintons said they had “no personal knowledge” of any “criminal activities” by Epstein or his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

He further stated that by the time Epstein’s legal troubles became public in 2008, he had long since ended contact.

“Even with 20/20 hindsight, I saw nothing that ever gave me pause,” he said, adding, “We are only here because he hid it from everyone so well for so long.”

Bill Clinton criticizes committee for calling Hillary Clinton

Clinton also criticized the committee’s decision to subpoena former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for testimony.

“Before we start, I have to get personal,” he said.

“You made Hillary come in. She had nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. Nothing. She has no memory of even meeting him. She neither traveled with him nor visited any of his properties.”

He continued, “Whether you subpoenaed 10 people or 10,000, including her was simply not right.”

Clinton concluded his opening statement saying “Since I am under oath, I will not falsely state that I am looking forward to your questions. But I am ready to answer them to the best of my abilities, consistent with the facts as I know them: the legitimate, the logical and even the outlandish.