Bill Clinton Testifies Under Subpoena in House Epstein Probe, Says He 'Saw Nothing' and Rebukes Hillary Subpoena
Under subpoena Friday, former President Bill Clinton gave a closed‑door, filmed and transcribed deposition in Chappaqua, New York — the first time a former U.S. president has been compelled to testify to Congress — telling the House Oversight Committee "I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong," warning he would often say "I don't recall" about decades‑old interactions and denying knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes. In his opening, he rebuked the panel for subpoenaing Hillary Clinton, saying she "had nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein," a session arranged after months of negotiation and near‑contempt votes as Republicans pursue broader questions arising from DOJ Epstein files.
📌 Key Facts
- House Oversight subpoenaed Hillary Clinton (Feb. 26) and Bill Clinton (Feb. 27) for closed‑door depositions in Chappaqua, New York, after months of negotiation and a near bipartisan contempt vote to compel their testimony.
- Bill Clinton testified under subpoena — the first time a former U.S. president has been compelled to testify to Congress — opening with “I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong,” warning he will often say “I don’t recall,” and rebuking the committee for subpoenaing Hillary.
- Hillary Clinton testified the prior day, repeatedly deferring many questions to her husband, denying personal knowledge of Epstein’s or Maxwell’s crimes, calling the inquiry a “fishing expedition,” and criticizing Oversight Chair James Comer.
- The depositions were filmed and transcribed; Chair James Comer said recordings (as with Les Wexner’s deposition) will be released and that the committee may hold later public hearings, while also saying no one is being accused of wrongdoing at this time.
- House Oversight has previously deposed figures tied to Epstein, including Les Wexner — who sat for a six‑hour deposition calling Epstein a “world‑class con man,” denying knowledge of abuse, and acknowledging Epstein once had power of attorney and property links — as well as Bill Barr, Alex Acosta and Ghislaine Maxwell.
- Justice Department file releases naming powerful people (including Wexner) have harmed reputations and been used by House Democrats to press for more questioning, increasing the political cost for corporate and political figures with Epstein ties.
- The Chappaqua sessions involved roughly 10 Republican members and about nine Democrats, featured partisan tensions (including members photographing proceedings and complaints of a “clown show”), and prompted Democrats to argue the precedent should be used to compel testimony from Donald Trump about Epstein‑related records.
- Both Clintons emphasized they had no knowledge of Epstein’s or Maxwell’s criminal activities, denied involvement in DOJ handling of their cases, said contacts with Epstein were limited and years earlier, and neither has been accused of a crime.
📰 Source Timeline (16)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
March 02, 2026
4:47 AM
Former President Bill Clinton deposed in Epstein probe in potential first for Congress
New information:
- Confirms that Bill Clinton’s deposition was conducted in Chappaqua, New York, at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center rather than in Washington.
- Highlights that congressional historians and lawmakers view this as the first time a former U.S. president has been deposed by a congressional committee, potentially setting a precedent for future cases including matters involving Donald Trump and Epstein files.
- Adds that Hillary Clinton, in her own closed‑door testimony the prior day, repeatedly said 'You’ll have to ask my husband' more than a dozen times, according to Chairman Comer, helping explain GOP insistence on deposing Bill Clinton.
- Describes the seven‑month struggle Comer says it took for the committee to secure both Clintons’ appearances, underscoring the political and logistical difficulty of compelling such testimony.
- Includes in‑room color: Rep. Lauren Boebert snapping and sharing a photo of Hillary Clinton during her deposition and Rep. Yassamin Ansari criticizing Republicans for treating the session as a 'clown show,' highlighting partisan tensions around the proceeding.
February 28, 2026
12:48 AM
Bill Clinton says "I did nothing wrong" in House deposition on Epstein
New information:
- CBS labels and paraphrases Clinton’s opening as him saying, 'I did nothing wrong,' in addition to 'I saw nothing.'
- The segment reiterates that this was the first time a former U.S. president has been compelled to testify to Congress in this manner.
- The piece foregrounds his categorical denial of knowledge of Epstein’s crimes as the key takeaway for a general TV audience.
February 27, 2026
5:49 PM
Read Bill Clinton's opening statement in his deposition on Jeffrey Epstein
New information:
- Clinton’s prepared opening statement text is released in full, including his line, 'I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong. I saw nothing that ever gave me pause.'
- He explicitly rebukes the committee for subpoenaing Hillary Clinton, saying, 'You made Hillary come in. She had nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. Nothing.' and calling that 'simply not right.'
- Clinton frames his testimony as driven by his upbringing in a home with domestic abuse, saying if he had suspected Epstein’s conduct he 'would have turned him in myself and led the call for justice,' and asserts, 'We are only here because he hid it from everyone so well for so long.'
- He warns lawmakers they may often hear 'I don’t recall' because events are decades old and says he is 'bound by my oath not to speculate, or to guess,' arguing that guessing would not help the committee.
- He admonishes members that, just as he is sworn to tell the truth, 'each and every one of you owes nothing less than truth and accuracy to the American people.'
5:06 PM
Bill Clinton plunges into historic Epstein deposition
New information:
- Clinton’s opening statement quote: 'I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong,' emphasizing he had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and denies wrongdoing.
- Clinton explicitly warned lawmakers he will often say he 'does not recall' because the interactions were more than 20 years ago.
- He told the panel that deposing Hillary Clinton 'was not right' because she had 'nothing to do' with Epstein.
- Ranking Democrat Robert Garcia argued Clinton’s compelled testimony sets a precedent to depose Donald Trump and publicly demanded Trump testify before the committee.
- Rep. Suhas Subramanyam said Democrats will ask Clinton 'hard questions' but called Trump the 'wrong president' not being questioned.
- Comer said Hillary Clinton had deferred several Epstein questions to Bill in her deposition, which is part of why his session is expected to run even longer than her roughly seven hours.
- Axios reiterates the context of Epstein photos in DOJ files, including Clinton in a hot tub and swimming with Ghislaine Maxwell, which Clinton dismisses as not showing any crimes or wrongdoing he witnessed.
3:21 PM
WATCH LIVE: Rep. Comer speaks ahead of Bill Clinton deposition on Jeffrey Epstein
New information:
- Confirms that Bill Clinton is testifying Friday in Chappaqua, New York, in a closed‑door deposition before House members investigating Jeffrey Epstein.
- Specifies that this is the first time a former U.S. president has been compelled to testify to Congress.
- Adds on‑camera comments from Rep. James Comer that 'no one's accusing, at this moment, the Clintons of any wrongdoing' while emphasizing Republicans’ desire to question the Clintons about their knowledge of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
- Reiterates Hillary Clinton’s deposition statement that she has no recollection of meeting Epstein and no knowledge of his abuse, and that she expects Bill Clinton to say he had no knowledge either.
- Recaps photographic and travel evidence of Bill Clinton’s documented relationship with Epstein and Maxwell, which shapes the lines of questioning Comer previews in his remarks.
11:45 AM
Bill Clinton set for Epstein deposition by House committee
New information:
- Clarifies that Bill Clinton’s deposition will be filmed and transcribed in Chappaqua, New York, the day after Hillary Clinton’s testimony.
- Notes that Justice Department Epstein files show Ghislaine Maxwell helped 'kick off' the Clinton Global Initiative before Epstein’s 2006 indictment.
- Reports Bill Clinton’s public statement criticizing the closed‑door format as serving 'only partisan interests' and calling the investigation 'pure politics.'
- Quotes Oversight Chair James Comer saying he will release the Clintons’ deposition recordings, as with Les Wexner, and is open to a later public hearing.
- Highlights that this is the first time a former president has been compelled to testify in a congressional probe under subpoena, and that Democrats are invoking this precedent to demand that Trump be similarly deposed about Epstein‑related records DOJ has withheld.
- Includes Rep. Robert Garcia’s statement arguing that if Republicans were serious they would focus on DOJ’s concealment of Epstein documents involving allegations against Trump and that it is 'time to bring in President Trump for testimony under oath.'
- Adds Trump’s mixed response: he has urged DOJ to investigate Bill Clinton but also told NBC News it 'bothers' him that someone is 'going after Bill Clinton,' even as he is himself named in Epstein files; the article reaffirms neither Trump nor Clinton is currently accused of crimes.
11:00 AM
Bill Clinton faces high-stakes House grilling in Epstein probe after Hillary blasts 'fishing expedition'
New information:
- Bill Clinton’s closed‑door deposition is scheduled for Friday at 11 a.m. at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center in Westchester County, New York, near the Clintons’ home.
- House Oversight Chair James Comer says he expects Bill Clinton’s deposition to be 'even longer' than Hillary Clinton’s and reiterates that 'no one's accusing, at this moment, the Clintons of any wrongdoing.'
- Hillary Clinton, in her opening statement, told the committee she does not recall any contact with Epstein beyond what she previously disclosed and labeled the focus on her as a 'fishing expedition' meant to distract from and cover up President Trump’s actions.
- The article reiterates that Bill Clinton had a well‑documented relationship with Epstein, including appearances in released DOJ files and flights on Epstein’s plane, but that neither Clinton has been implicated in Epstein’s crimes.
- The committee has also interviewed former Attorney General Bill Barr and former Labor Secretary Alex Acosta as part of the same probe.
11:00 AM
Bill Clinton to testify today in House committee's Epstein investigation
New information:
- Confirms Bill Clinton is appearing today in New York for a closed‑door deposition under subpoena, making this the first time a former president has been compelled to testify to Congress in that manner.
- Details that the Clintons agreed to testify only after a bipartisan committee vote to recommend holding them in criminal contempt of Congress for refusing to appear.
- Reports that in her deposition Hillary Clinton repeatedly said she did not know answers and told members more than a dozen times they would 'have to ask my husband,' according to Chairman Comer.
- Summarizes Bill Clinton’s sworn declaration: Epstein offered his plane for Clinton Foundation trips in 2002–2003; Clinton denies visiting Epstein’s private island; says he had no contact with Epstein for more than a decade before 2019; and claims he does not recall any specific interactions with Epstein while in office.
- Notes Clinton’s statement that he did not know of Epstein’s or Ghislaine Maxwell’s criminal activities and denies taking actions to help them avoid scrutiny.
- Adds Hillary Clinton’s on‑camera assertion that she is confident her husband also had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and that his connection with Epstein ended years before those crimes became public.
- Quotes Ranking Member Robert Garcia saying the committee has now 'set a new precedent' for talking to presidents and former presidents and calling for Donald Trump to be asked to testify about his own Epstein ties.
- Includes Comer’s response that Trump has 'answered hundreds, if not thousands' of media questions about Epstein and 'been very transparent in releasing the documents,' signaling GOP resistance to hauling Trump in.
February 26, 2026
12:00 PM
Hillary Clinton to testify to House Oversight Committee on Epstein
New information:
- Confirms Hillary Clinton will testify Thursday in a closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee as part of its Epstein investigation, with Bill Clinton to be deposed Friday.
- Specifies that the depositions will take place in Chappaqua, New York, will be filmed and transcribed, and that Chair James Comer says recordings will be released as with Les Wexner’s deposition.
- Adds detail that Maxwell helped kick off the Clinton Global Initiative years before Epstein’s 2006 Florida indictment, and reiterates that neither Clinton has been accused of a crime and both publicly call for full release of the files.
- Clarifies subpoena timeline: Comer subpoenaed the Clintons in August; they initially refused but agreed in early February after the committee advanced contempt resolutions.
11:02 AM
Hillary Clinton to appear for Epstein deposition before House panel today
New information:
- Confirms Hillary Clinton is appearing today for a closed‑door deposition in New York, with Bill Clinton scheduled for Friday, rather than just 'scheduled' generally.
- Specifies that the full House was on the verge of a bipartisan criminal‑contempt floor vote when the Clintons relented and agreed to testify.
- Adds attendance details: at least 10 Republican members and nine Democrats are expected at the Chappaqua depositions.
- Includes fresh on‑the‑record framing from Hillary Clinton’s recent BBC interview accusing Chairman Comer of using the depositions to divert attention from President Trump’s relationship with Epstein and his administration’s handling of the files.
- Reiterates key points from Hillary Clinton’s sworn declaration: she denies personal knowledge of Epstein’s or Maxwell’s crimes, denies any involvement in DOJ’s handling of their cases, and says she does not recall specific encounters with Epstein while acknowledging limited contact with Maxwell via a mutual friend and the Clinton Foundation.
11:00 AM
House Republicans descend on Clintons' hometown for high-stakes Epstein probe grilling
New information:
- Confirms Hillary Clinton’s deposition is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. ET Thursday in Chappaqua, New York, with Bill Clinton’s deposition set for Friday.
- States that Chairman James Comer will attend in person along with at least 10 House Republicans, rather than leaving the session solely to staff.
- Includes new on‑record reaction from Rep. Tim Burchett criticizing the decision to hold the depositions in Chappaqua instead of bringing the Clintons to Capitol Hill.
- Quotes Rep. Robert Garcia, the committee’s top Democrat, saying a 'good group' will be going to New York and emphasizing the importance of questioning anyone who spent time with Epstein, including about potential foreign ties.
February 20, 2026
2:23 PM
Bill, Hillary Clinton to be deposed in New York for House Oversight Epstein probe
New information:
- House Oversight has scheduled sworn depositions of Hillary Clinton on Feb. 26 and Bill Clinton on Feb. 27, to be held in Chappaqua, New York rather than Washington, D.C.
- The committee and the Clintons reached this arrangement after months of negotiation and a near‑vote to hold both in contempt of Congress over earlier subpoena resistance.
- Chairman James Comer framed their testimony as 'critical' to understanding Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s trafficking network and possible efforts to curry favor, while Bill Clinton publicly criticized the closed‑door format as serving 'partisan interests.'
1:33 AM
WATCH: Les Wexner's full deposition to House Democrats on the Epstein files
New information:
- The six‑hour deposition has now taken place; Wexner appeared and, according to Ranking Member Rep. James Comer, 'answered every question asked of him.'
- In a prepared statement and testimony, Wexner called Epstein a 'world‑class con man' and said he was 'duped,' denying knowledge of Epstein’s crimes or participation in abuse.
- Wexner said his relationship with Epstein ended 'bitterly' in 2007 after discovering Epstein had been stealing from him and his entities.
- Rep. Robert Garcia, a Democrat who attended, said he is skeptical and called Wexner the person most responsible for providing Epstein with the financial support that enabled his crimes.
- Wexner specifically denied Virginia Giuffre’s allegation that Epstein trafficked her to him, invoking his 'utter devotion' to his wife; PBS notes his name appears more than 1,000 times in the Epstein files but that he has never been charged.
February 18, 2026
10:30 AM
Billionaire Victoria's Secret mogul Les Wexner to testify in House Jeffrey Epstein probe
New information:
- House Oversight Committee staff (and possibly members) are traveling to Ohio on Wednesday to depose Les Wexner at home as part of its Epstein probe, rather than taking testimony in Washington.
- Fox confirms Wexner was explicitly named as one of Jeffrey Epstein’s 'co-conspirators' in a 2019 FBI document, sharpening the description beyond generic 'ties.'
- Wexner’s spokesperson declined to say whether he will invoke the Fifth Amendment, leaving open the possibility of him refusing to answer questions.
- The article reproduces and dates an Aug. 7, 2019 letter Wexner sent to his Wexner Foundation board, stating Epstein 'misappropriated vast sums of money' from his family, that Wexner severed ties by early fall 2007 after Florida allegations emerged, and that only some funds were recovered.
- House Oversight Chair James Comer has already overseen depositions of Bill Barr, Alex Acosta and Ghislaine Maxwell in the same probe; Wexner is the fourth figure to appear.
- The piece details that Epstein had power of attorney over Wexner’s finances and that Wexner sold Epstein the Manhattan townhouse later used in alleged abuse, framing the financial and property links that make his testimony central to how Epstein amassed wealth.
February 16, 2026
5:30 PM
Epstein files end business, political careers across globe
New information:
- Axios includes Wexner in its roster of powerful figures whose careers or reputations have been effectively derailed by the DOJ releases, even before his scheduled House Oversight testimony.
- It underlines that House Democrats have specifically used the files to press for his questioning, tying his case more tightly to congressional oversight momentum.
- The article helps quantify the growing political cost for corporate magnates with deep Epstein ties, even where formal charges have not (yet) been brought.