House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., praised former President Bill Clinton following the former president’s testimony before the committee about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Clinton appeared before the committee at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center in Chappaqua, New York, on Friday.
Comer noted that Clinton “did attempt to respond to every single question asked, even when his attorney told him to shut up.”
The chair described the session as “historical,” stating that in Congress’s history, no two higher-ranking officials have been deposed by Congress than President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Clinton became the first former president compelled to testify before Congress.
Comer reported that the panel uncovered new information during the deposition, including Clinton’s statement that he had never seen anything indicating President Donald Trump was involved with Epstein. He also noted that Clinton told the committee it is “for you to decide” whether to depose Trump.
According to Clinton’s testimony, while not accused of wrongdoing, Epstein attended his White House 16 times, and Clinton traveled on Epstein’s private jet 27 times after leaving office in 2001.
Clinton stated that he ceased being friends with Epstein following the financier’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution.
Representative Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., described Clinton as “cooperative” and “answering all of our questions.” Luna warned against the committee engaging in partisan smear campaigns.
“If there is a request to bring in an individual who has made false allegations against President Clinton, I will be voting that down in committee — just as I will be voting down any individuals that have made false claims against President Trump,” she said.
Luna also suggested that Epstein’s operation displayed “telltale signs of an intelligence gathering operation,” potentially involving foreign interests targeting high-profile leaders.
Representative Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., expressed disbelief in Clinton’s testimony. In a social media post, she wrote: “Riiight. This gaslighting is top shelf. Slick Willie is at it again.”
