Bill Clinton Launches Fierce Attack on Republicans Over Hillary Epstein Testimony
Former President Bill Clinton has delivered a blistering statement condemning Republican efforts to force his wife, Hillary Clinton, to testify regarding his past association with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This developing story centres on a congressional hearing where Clinton appeared voluntarily, but expressed outrage at the inclusion of his wife in the proceedings.
Clinton's Dual Reasons for Appearing Before Congress
In his opening remarks, Clinton outlined two primary motivations for his participation. First, he emphasised his love for America and the foundational principle that no individual, including presidents, is above the law. He stated that democracy relies on civil discourse and a shared commitment to truth over partisan spectacle, hoping his presence would help steer the nation away from divisive brinkmanship.
"Democracy requires every person to play their part, and I hope that by being here today, we can bring ourselves a little further away from the brink and back to being a country where we can disagree with one another civilly," Clinton asserted.
Secondly, Clinton highlighted the need for justice and healing for the victims of Epstein's crimes, acknowledging that they have waited too long for resolution. He clarified that his brief acquaintance with Epstein ended years before the crimes became public, and he never witnessed any indications of wrongdoing during their limited interactions.
Personal Defence of Hillary Clinton and Oath to Truth
Before addressing questions, Clinton launched a pointed defence of his wife, criticising Republicans for subpoenaing her. "You made Hillary come in. She had nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. Nothing," he declared, insisting she has no memory of meeting Epstein, never travelled with him, or visited his properties. He argued that her inclusion in the hearing was unjust, regardless of the number of people subpoenaed.
Clinton reminded the committee that he took an oath to tell the truth, but stressed that everyone, whether under oath or not, has a responsibility to be honest with the American people. "Each and every one of us owes nothing less than truth and accuracy to the American people," he stated.
Denial of Knowledge and Clarification on Epstein Association
Clinton firmly denied any awareness of Epstein's criminal activities, regardless of photographic evidence presented. "I had no idea of the crimes Epstein was committing," he said, emphasising that his own recollections and actions matter more than interpretations of decades-old photos.
- He asserted he saw nothing suspicious and did nothing wrong during his interactions with Epstein.
- Drawing from his childhood experience with domestic abuse, Clinton claimed he would have reported Epstein immediately if he had any suspicion of wrongdoing.
- He noted that Epstein concealed his crimes effectively, and by the time they surfaced with a 2008 guilty plea, Clinton had already ceased association with him.
Clinton acknowledged that his frequent use of "I don't recall" might be unsatisfying, but he refused to speculate or guess due to the passage of time and his oath. "This is not merely for my benefit, but because it doesn't help you for me to play detective 24 years later," he explained.
Readiness to Answer Questions Under Oath
Concluding his statement, Clinton admitted he was not looking forward to the questioning but affirmed his readiness to answer to the best of his ability, based on facts as he knows them. "With that Mr. Chairman, fire away," he said, signalling his preparedness to address both legitimate and outlandish inquiries in the hearing.
