Hillary Clinton has raised new questions about Donald Trump’s role in the ongoing scrutiny surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein files. As congressional hearings continue, the former secretary of state called for the president to testify under oath, intensifying attention on the investigation and those connected to it.
Hillary Clinton asks Donald Trump to testify
Former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for President Donald Trump to testify under oath at a US House hearing examining links to Jeffrey Epstein, according to Al Jazeera.
In an opening statement published online before her compelled appearance, she wrote that if the panel was committed to a fair investigation, “it would ask [Trump] directly under oath about the tens of thousands of times he shows up in the Epstein files”. She added, “You have compelled me to testify, fully aware I have no knowledge that would assist in your investigation, in order to distract attention from President Trump’s actions and to cover them up.”
Clinton accused the Republican-led House panel of seeking to “protect one political party and one public official” and cited an “institutional failure” in the US government to “seek truth and justice for the victims and survivors”. She questioned why the panel allowed written responses and held hearings behind closed doors. Clinton and Bill Clinton said they had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and provided all relevant information.
In 2008, a Florida court convicted Epstein, a wealthy financier, of soliciting a minor for prostitution. He served 13 months of an 18-month sentence under a plea deal. In 2019, federal prosecutors charged him with running a sex trafficking ring. He died by apparent suicide in custody while awaiting trial. His social circle included Bill Clinton and Trump. Media reports have highlighted aspects of Trump’s past relationship with Epstein.
House Oversight Committee chair James Comer denied the inquiry was a “witch hunt”. He said there was bipartisan support for the Clintons’ testimony. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer asked, “What else is the administration keeping behind a lock and key? Is this incompetence or is it a full-blown coverup?”
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on Mandatory.com.
