Bill Clinton to testify in Epstein investigation after Hillary ‘deferred a lot of questions’ to him: Live updates
Former President Bill Clinton will sit for a recorded deposition with the House Oversight Committee today, where lawmakers will question him about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein – a day after his wife, Hillary Clinton, did the same.
Lawmakers plan to question Bill Clinton about his knowledge of Epstein’s wealth resources, ties to foreign individuals and any travels to Epstein’s island – which Bill Clinton has vehemently denied ever visiting.
Republicans on the committee say the former president has a lot to answer for because Hillary Clinton “deferred” at least a dozen questions about Epstein to her husband.
The 42nd president had a social and professional relationship with Epstein – and photos of the pair emerged in the Epstein files – but he has denied wrongdoing and has not been formally charged with any crime connected to Epstein.
During her deposition on Thursday, Hillary Clinton stated that she had “no idea” about Epstein’s crimes and that she was being used to distract and cover up President Donald Trump’s actions.
Republican lawmakers asked her about her husband’s relationship with the billionaire pedophile, UFOs and conspiracy theories related to Pizzagate.
Bill Clinton begins deposition
Former President Bill Clinton’s closed-door deposition to the House Oversight Committee has begun, according to CNN.
He is reading his opening statement.
‘Unhinged’ and ‘screaming:’ Republicans accuse Hillary Clinton of being defiant
Several Republican committee members described Hillary Clinton’s demeanor in Thursday’s deposition as slightly uncooperative and chaotic.
“I asked her very pointed questions and you’ll see that in the transcript and the video that comes out and you’ll see how she responded as well, screaming,” Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina told reporters Friday morning.
Mace did not specify what she meant by “screaming,” but also said the former was “unhinged.”
“She was unhinged,” Mace said.
Democrats refuted the characterization of Hillary Clinton
“To say the Secretary was screaming, I think, is beyond a mischaracterization,” Rep. Robert Garcia said.
Howard Lutnick could be subpoenaed to committee
Democrat Ro Khanna said he believes the House Oversight Committee has enough votes to force Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to sit for a deposition regarding his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Lutnick has not been accused of wrongdoing associated with Epstein and denies participating or even knowing of Epstein’s crimes.
However, Lutnick was caught omitting information about his relationship with Epstein after the Justice Department released more than three million files. Lutnick and his family traveled to Epstein’s island for lunch in 2012.
Democrats says there are ‘serious questions’
Democrats are continuing to rail against Republicans for asking unrelated questions to Hillary Clinton during her deposition about Epstein and say they want “serious questions” for Bill Clinton today.
“What we’re interested in today is a serious deposition. We have real questions that deserve serious answers,” Rep. Robert Garcia said before Bill Clinton’s deposition began.
Rep. Maxwell Frost urged Republicans, “Don’t waste our time.”
Nancy Mace says Trump does not need to sit for deposition
Republican Rep. Nancy Mace told CNN Friday morning that she did not think President Donald Trump nor First Lady Melania Trump needed to be questioned by the House Oversight Committee.
“He has answered questions. And the victims that I have spoken to actually exonerated President Trump,” Mace said.
Democrats disagree and believe the Trumps should face questioning too since the president once knew Jeffrey Epstein.
Although Trump knew Epstein, the two ceased their friendship before Epstein was convicted in 2008 in Florida. Trump has said he did not know about Epstein’s crimes and has denied wrongdoing. The president has never been formally charged with a crime related to Epstein.
Mace insisted that Bill Clinton, however, had not been exonerated by survivors of Epstein’s abuse. Bill Clinton also ceased contact with Epstein prior to his 2008 conviction. Bill Clinton has denied wrongdoing and also never been formally charged with a crime related to Epstein.
Republicans say Hillary Clinton deferred ‘a lot’ of questions to Bill
Hillary Clinton deferred “at least” a dozen questions about Epstein to her husband, Bill Clinton, while being deposed by lawmakers Thursday, Rep. Comer said during a press conference Friday morning.
“A lot of the Clinton Global Initiative questions yesterday went unanswered because Ms. Clinton deferred to her husband,” Comer said.
Comer said he hopes Bill Clinton will be able to answer those questions today.
Comer says he will ask questions about Epstein being in White House
Rep. James Comer, the Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, said they will ask Bill Clinton questions about his correspondence, photos, flights and meetings with Jeffrey Epstein.
“I think the American people have a lot of questions, and our House Oversight committee is committed to getting answers. We’re committed to transparency,” Comer said.
Comer said Hillary Clinton told lawmakers Epstein was in the White House at least 17 times while Clinton was president.
Watch Live: Bill Clinton deposed by House Oversight Committee in Epstein investigation
Rep Garcia suggests Melania Trump should come in for deposition
Rep. Robert Garcia, the ranking Democrat on the committee, said Friday morning that First Lady Melania Trump should be questioned about President Donald Trump’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Garcia told CNN that Republicans on the House Oversight Committee have set a precedent to “Bring in, for depositions, presidents, former presidents and first ladies and then asking those first ladies, as they did yesterday, about how they felt about their husbands.”
Source: independent.co.uk
