Hillary Clinton has accused the Trump administration of a “cover-up” over the Jeffrey Epstein files, claiming that she and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, are being forced to testify before Congress to divert attention from Donald Trump.
In an interview at the Munich security conference, Clinton said the US Department of Justice was “slow-walking” the release of documents relating to Epstein’s crimes and urged the administration to “get the files out”. Despite periodic document releases since Congress mandated their release late last year, the justice department is still withholding about three million files.
Clinton’s comments came as she and Bill Clinton prepare to give sworn depositions before the House oversight committee. Hillary Clinton is scheduled to testify on 26 February, with Bill appearing the day after. It will be the first appearance by a former president before a congressional panel in more than 40 years.
Clinton argued that she and her husband were being treated unfairly compared with other witnesses. “I just want it to be fair. I want everybody treated the same way. That’s not true for my husband and me, because other witnesses were asked to testify, they gave written statements under oath. We offered that, but they want to pull us in. Why? To divert attention from President Trump.”
Trump, mentioned thousands of times in the released files, told reporters he had been “totally exonerated”. Bill Clinton is also featured in the files but says he cut off contact with Epstein after learning of his sexual crimes. The Clintons have called for all files to be released and for their hearings to be held in public.
