Context:

Hillary Clinton faced a roughly six-hour, closed-door grilling by the House Oversight Committee over the Epstein probe, delivering a Forceful rebuttal of the process while lamenting the lack of a public hearing. She defended herself against questions tied to Epstein and Maxwell, asserted no personal relationship with Epstein, and criticized Republicans for the secret deposition format. The exchange touched unusual topics, including UFOs and related conspiracy theories, and she urged openness, even as she criticized the proceedings. Ahead, Bill Clinton is slated for a longer, closed deposition, while lawmakers weigh what was learned and what remains unclear about the investigation. The episode underscores partisan tensions around the Epstein inquiry and the Clintons’ willingness to testify further if public testimony is not pursued.

Dive Deeper:

• Clinton spent about six hours answering questions behind closed doors at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, where she pushed back on the closed hearing format and said she would not testify again in a public hearing. Comer described her answers as largely responsive but said Republicans were not satisfied with the outcomes.

• She reiterated that she did not know Epstein and portrayed Maxwell as merely an acquaintance, while explaining Maxwell’s presence at Chelsea Clinton’s wedding as a plus-one circumstance. Comer complimented the engagement and questions raised by the committee chair as a framework for uncovering truth.

• Clinton noted an abrupt shift in questioning toward UFOs and the Pizzagate conspiracy theory, which she characterized as vile and bogus, highlighting the unusual nature of some queries toward her after hours of testimony. She also criticized lawmakers for not attending Leslie Wexner’s deposition in person.

• The deposition included tension over procedural rules, with Clinton saying a violation occurred when a member shared a deposition room photo with a right-wing influencer, prompting a temporary pause to restore rules. Democrats were reported to have leaked some information from inside the room, though there was no broad public backlash.

• Bill Clinton is expected to testify behind closed doors on Friday in what Comer described as an even longer deposition, continuing the Clinton family's involvement in the Epstein probe. The overall takeaway emphasized that neither Clinton is accused of wrongdoing, but the committee aims to shed light on the investigation’s nature and scope.