Bill Clinton earns bipartisan praise for cooperating in Epstein deposition: 'This was historical'

WASHINGTON, DC: Former President Bill Clinton sat for a historic deposition before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Friday as part of its investigation into matters surrounding convicted offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Lawmakers from both parties characterized the session as significant, while praising Clinton as being very cooperative in responding to questions. The deposition is widely seen as a potential turning point in establishing how Congress handles subpoenas involving former presidents.

Bill Clinton deposition and lawmakers’ reactions

House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer described the deposition as unprecedented. “He did attempt to respond to every single question asked, even when his attorney told him to shut up,” Comer said afterward.

“This was historical,” he added, stating that “in the history of Congress, the two highest ranked officials to ever be deposed by Congress would be President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.”

Comer said the panel “picked up some new facts” and that lawmakers asked the Clintons where they should go from here in their Epstein investigation. “We’re going to bring more people in. We’re not finished,” Comer said, adding it is “very possible” that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick will be asked to testify. 

He also referenced calls from some Republican members to scrutinize women who were both victims of Epstein and helped funnel young women to him, asking, “Can you be a victim and a victimizer?”

Clinton, who had spent time with Epstein and flew on his plane in the 1990s and early 2000s, said in his opening statement that he “did nothing wrong” and had “no idea of the crimes” Epstein was committing.

He noted he was no longer associated with Epstein by the time he was convicted of crimes in 2008. “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,” Clinton said. 

Both Republicans and Democrats said Clinton answered questions in good faith, though he warned he would often say he did not recall details, stating, “That might be unsatisfying. But I’m not going to say something I’m not sure of. This was all a long time ago.”

Partisan disputes and broader implications of Bill Clinton's deposition

Some Republicans dismissed Clinton’s denials. Rep. Lauren Boebert wrote on X, “Riiight. This gaslighting is top shelf. Slick Willie is at it again.” Hillary Clinton, deposed a day earlier, told lawmakers she did not recall ever meeting Epstein and had no information about his criminal activities. 

But there was also a bipartisan acknowledgment during the proceedings. Rep. Nancy Mace praised Rep. Melanie Stansbury, saying, “Representative Stansbury had a lot of courageous questions. She showed bravery today.”

However, Rep. Wesley Bell criticized Republicans as “unprofessional” and “unethical,” saying they came into the deposition with conclusions unsupported by evidence.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna said she believes Epstein was an “intelligence asset” running a “honey pot operation” and that Bill and Hillary were potentially targets. Other members did not echo those assertions.

A full transcript and video are expected to be released after preparation and approval by both sides. Democrats argue the deposition changes the dynamic between Congress and the presidency, calling it the “Clinton rule.”

Rep. Ro Khanna said this means presidents and their families must testify when subpoenaed, adding that President Donald Trump should appear before the committee to explain what he knew about Epstein and the lack of full document release.

Comer countered by citing questioning from Rep. Robert Garcia, who asked Clinton whether Trump should be called. Clinton replied, “That’s for you to decide,” and added Trump “has never said anything to me to make me think he was involved,” according to Comer.