During testimony before the House Oversight Committee, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton accused the Republican-led panel of using her appearance as a political distraction instead of seeking meaningful answers about Jeffrey Epstein. In prepared remarks, she argued that a serious investigation should focus on the systemic failures that allowed Epstein to receive a lenient 2008 plea deal and continue abusing victims for years.

Clinton told lawmakers she had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities and no recollection of ever meeting him. She said she never traveled on his plane or visited his properties and had “nothing to add” beyond her previous sworn statements. Calling Epstein’s original plea agreement a “slap on the wrist,” she said she was horrified, like many Americans, by the scale of the abuse that later emerged.

The deposition took place in Chappaqua, New York, one day before former President Bill Clinton was scheduled to testify. Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer stressed that neither Clinton is accused of wrongdoing but said lawmakers have “a lot of questions” about Epstein’s network, including possible ties to the Clinton Foundation and associations with Ghislaine Maxwell.

Republican Rep. Nancy Mace was expected to question Clinton first, including inquiries about people linked to Epstein. Clinton dismissed the investigation as a “fishing expedition,” arguing that if lawmakers genuinely wanted accountability, they would question current and former officials directly under oath instead of, in her view, staging politically motivated hearings.

She maintained that the committee’s focus on her testimony diverted attention from more urgent questions, such as how Epstein avoided serious punishment for so long and who enabled him. Clinton insisted that meaningful oversight would prioritize reforms and accountability within the justice system.

No charges have been filed against Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, or former President Donald Trump in connection with Epstein.