The Deposition of Secretary Hillary Clinton on the Epstein Probe

On February 2026, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform conducted a deposition of former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton as part of its investigation into the federal government’s enforcement of sex trafficking laws and its handling of the investigation and prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

According to the House Oversight Committee, the deposition followed a lengthy process of subpoenas and negotiations over scope. The committee had initially scheduled Clinton’s appearance for December 2025, then January 2026. Clinton did not appear for the January date, leading the committee to vote a contempt report against her. The February deposition proceeded after further correspondence between the committee and Clinton’s legal counsel regarding the parameters of questioning.

In her opening statement, Clinton alleged that the committee’s investigation constitutes “partisan political theater” designed to protect “one political party and one public official” rather than pursue justice for Epstein survivors. Clinton stated she has no information regarding Epstein or Maxwell’s criminal activities. According to Clinton’s account, she does not recall ever meeting Jeffrey Epstein, never flew on his plane, and never visited his island, homes, or offices. Clinton claimed her only possible encounter with Epstein was at a White House Historical Association dinner during the Clinton presidency, though she has no recollection of it.

Regarding Ghislaine Maxwell, Clinton stated she knew her “casually” primarily through Maxwell’s relationship with software developer Ted White, whom Clinton said was invited to her daughter Chelsea’s wedding around 2010. Clinton testified she did not recall any substantive conversations with Maxwell and would not consider her a friend.

During questioning by majority staff, Clinton was presented with a list of approximately 50 names and asked whether she had ever communicated with any of them regarding Epstein or Maxwell. Clinton answered “no” or “not that I recall” to virtually all names on the list, stating that many of the individuals she had never heard of or met.

When shown a letter from Epstein’s attorneys dated July 6, 2007, in which Epstein’s legal counsel alleged that “Mr. Epstein was part of the original group that conceived the Clinton Global Initiative,” Clinton stated she had no knowledge of Epstein’s alleged involvement. According to Clinton, she was not involved in the creation of CGI and was serving in the U.S. Senate at that time. Clinton testified that Bill Clinton conceived the CGI idea and that she discussed it with her husband on a general basis regarding the substance of the work, but not “in the weeds.”

According to the House Oversight Committee’s questioning, Clinton was asked whether she solicited funds from Epstein or Maxwell for the Clinton Foundation. Clinton denied soliciting funds from either individual. When questioned about a possible $25,000 donation from Epstein-affiliated companies to the foundation, Clinton stated she only learned of this allegation in preparation for the deposition testimony and did not know if it was accurate.

Clinton testified regarding President Clinton’s use of Epstein’s private jet for foundation work, characterizing it as a “gift” and one form of transportation among several provided by various donors to enable Bill Clinton’s charitable work around the world.

On the question of whether federal authorities should have identified Epstein as a significant sex trafficker during her tenure as Secretary of State from 2009 to 2013, Clinton responded that such matters would have fallen under Justice Department jurisdiction rather than the State Department’s purview.

In House Oversight Committee’s Own Words

“It is to conduct oversight of the federal government’s enforcement of sex trafficking laws generally and specifically its handling of the investigation and prosecution of Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell.”

“Mr. Epstein was part of the original group that conceived the Clinton Global Initiative, which is described as a project bringing together a community of global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.”

“I had no idea about their criminal activities. I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein. I never flew on his plane or visited his island, homes, or offices.”

This deposition matters because the House Oversight Committee is investigating whether federal law enforcement adequately pursued Epstein and Maxwell, and whether the Clinton Foundation or Global Initiative had connections to Epstein that were not previously disclosed. Clinton’s testimony on these questions—particularly regarding the alleged Epstein role in founding CGI and any foundation donations—constitutes part of the official congressional record on the government’s response to one of the largest sex trafficking cases in recent U.S. history.