...
By Ben Kelly and Jasmine Laws
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Hillary Clinton has posted a defiant message to Republicans ahead of her scheduled testimony before Congress later in February.
The former U.S. Secretary of State and first lady wrote on X on Thursday: "For six months, we engaged Republicans on the Oversight Committee in good faith. We told them what we know, under oath. They ignored all of it. They moved the goalposts and turned accountability into an exercise in distraction."
"So let’s stop the games. If you want this fight," she said tagging House Oversight Committee chair James Comer, the Republican of Kentucky, "let’s have it—in public. You love to talk about transparency. There’s nothing more transparent than a public hearing, cameras on. We will be there."
Read More on News
The Clintons have denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of Epstein's sex offending.
Why It Matters
There have been bipartisan calls for more transparency over investigations into Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting sex trafficking charges.
The Clintons, both Democrats, have bristled at testimony demands from the Republican-led House Oversight Committee, but struck an agreement after a bipartisan House vote to advance contempt charges against them.
Bill Clinton's appearance will be the first time lawmakers have compelled a former president to testify.
Hillary Clinton's tone on social media suggests their blockbuster appearances could prove tense.
...
What To Know
Under an agreement finalized between the Clintons and House Republicans announced this week, Hillary Clinton is scheduled to testify before the Oversight Committee on February 26, followed by her husband, former President Bill Clinton on February 27.
The agreement came after Comer advanced the charges against both Clintons for defying congressional subpoenas issued in August. Comer issued the subpoenas to the Clintons and eight other individuals that month.
The Clintons confirmed they would appear after the U.S. House last month advanced criminal contempt of Congress charges to a potential vote, threatening substantial fines or even prison time if they had been convicted.
A spokesperson for Bill Clinton has confrmed the former President traveled on Epstein's private plane in 2002 and 2003, that he met with Epstein in New York in 2002, and had a brief visit to Epstein's New York apartment around that time.
What People Are Saying
Asked for his reaction to news the Clntons will testify, President Donald Trump said: "I think it's a shame, to be honest. I always liked him. Her, she's a very capable woman. She was better at debating than some of the other people, I will tell you that. She was smarter. Smart woman."
He added: "I hate to see it, but then I look at me, they went after me like they wanted me to go to jail for the rest of my life. Then it turned out I was innocent. Very innocent."
House Oversight Committee chair James Comer said in a statement on Tuesday: "We look forward to now questioning the Clintons as part of our investigation into the horrific crimes of Epstein and Maxwell, to deliver transparency and accountability for the American people and for survivors."
The Clinton's said in joint statement released on January 13: "We are prepared to make our case to your 45 committee members, and if need be, more. Importantly, we also will defend ourselves in the public arena and ensure this country knows exactly what you are doing and why you are doing so, instead of helping the American people who need this Congress’s work and protection.
"For most people, maybe even the bulk of the Congress, today will be the first they learn of this dispute. We are confident that any reasonable person in or out of Congress will see, based on everything we release, that what you are doing is trying to punish those who you see as your enemies and to protect those you think are your friends.
"Continue to mislead Americans about what is truly at stake, and you will learn that Americans are better at finding the truth than you are at burying it. Continue to pursue autopens instead of penning laws Americans need, and you will learn that you are signing away any remaining chance of being on the right side of history. Continue to abet the dismantling of America, and you will learn that it takes more than a wrecking ball to demolish what Americans have built over 250 years."
What Happens Next
Hillary Clinton is scheduled to testify before the Oversight Committee on February 26.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines