Bill Clinton Testifies Before Congress on Epstein Ties: ‘I Saw Nothing, Did Nothing Wrong’

By Staff Reporter | February 27, 2026

Chappaqua, New York – Former President Bill Clinton delivered a firm defense during his congressional testimony Friday, insisting he had “no idea” about Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes and saw nothing that gave him pause during their past acquaintance.

Clinton’s opening statement to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee emphasized his innocence and criticized the probe’s scope, particularly the subpoena of his wife, Hillary Clinton, who testified the previous day. “I saw nothing, I did nothing wrong,” Clinton declared, according to his prepared remarks posted on X.[1]

Historic Closed-Door Deposition

The session in Chappaqua marks the first time a former U.S. president has been compelled to testify before Congress under subpoena. Neither Bill nor Hillary Clinton has been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in 2019 while facing federal sex trafficking charges.[1][2]

Clinton, who acknowledged being an acquaintance of Epstein but ceased communication at least a decade before the financier’s 2019 arrest, stated: “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.”[1]

He lambasted the Republican-led committee for including Hillary Clinton in the investigation, noting she spent over six hours answering questions Thursday. “Whether you subpoenaed 10 people or 10,000, including her was simply not right,” Clinton said. Hillary testified she does not recall meeting Epstein and denied knowledge of his sex trafficking with co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell.[1][2]

Political Tensions Flare

Republicans, led by Chairman James Comer, relished the chance to question the former Democratic president under oath. “No one’s accusing anyone of any wrongdoing, but I think the American people have a lot of questions,” Comer remarked.[2]

Hillary Clinton told lawmakers she expected her husband to affirm he had no knowledge of Epstein’s sexual abuse during their association in the late 1990s and early 2000s. She described their connection as ending years before Epstein’s crimes surfaced publicly.[2]

Democrats on the committee seized the moment to call for symmetry, arguing it sets a precedent for President Donald Trump, who also had ties to Epstein. “I think that President Trump needs to man up, get in front of this committee and answer the questions and stop calling this investigation a hoax,” said Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the panel.[2]

Clinton’s Broader Plea for Civility

Compliance with the subpoena underscored Clinton’s commitment to accountability: “No person is above the law, even Presidents – especially Presidents.” He expressed hope that the testimony could steer the nation away from partisan brinkmanship toward civil discourse and truth-seeking.[1]

The committee plans to release transcripts and video of Hillary Clinton’s deposition, while Bill Clinton’s well-documented flights on Epstein’s plane – without reference to Maxwell in his statement – remain a focal point despite the timeline predating known criminal revelations.[1][2]

Context of the Epstein Scandal

Epstein’s network has long fueled scrutiny of high-profile associates. Flight logs show Clinton traveled on Epstein’s jet multiple times, though he maintains these were unrelated to illicit activities. The probe, revived amid ongoing public interest, examines connections from over two decades ago.[2]

Unlike Hillary’s remarks, which explicitly referenced Epstein and Maxwell’s “criminal activities,” Bill Clinton’s statement focused solely on his lack of awareness, avoiding mention of Maxwell.[1]

Implications for Precedent and Politics

Democrats hail the testimony as a milestone for equal application of congressional authority. Republicans counter that unresolved questions about Epstein’s elite circle demand answers, even absent direct accusations.[2]

As the nation grapples with echoes of the Epstein saga, Clinton’s appearance reinforces his narrative of detachment while reigniting partisan divides. The full transcript of his testimony is anticipated soon, potentially shedding more light on one of America’s most notorious scandals.[1][2]

This developing story highlights enduring questions about power, accountability, and historical associations in American politics. Updates will follow as transcripts emerge.