Former President Bill Clinton answered every question posed by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers and did not invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during a congressional deposition related to Jeffrey Epstein, Democratic members of Congress said Friday.
Lawmakers described Clinton as cooperative and detailed in his responses during the closed-door session before the House Oversight Committee, which is examining Epstein’s network and the role influential figures may have played in enabling his crimes.
“To his credit, he has answered every single question. He has not taken the Fifth Amendment, and he’s been actually quite comfortable and deliberate in his responses,” Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Va., told reporters during a break in the proceedings.
Democrats emphasized that Clinton has not been accused of any crime connected to Epstein, while acknowledging his past association with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. They said the questioning sought to clarify timelines, relationships and discrepancies in public records, as well as to understand how Epstein was able to continue operating for years.
Rep. Wesley Bell, D-Mo., said Clinton faced “tough questions” from both parties and contrasted his cooperation with what Democrats say is resistance from others they want to question.
“President Clinton came here and answered tough questions,” Bell said. “The victims and survivors and the American public deserve a serious investigation.”
Democrats used the moment to renew calls for President Donald Trump to testify before the committee, arguing that the same standard of cooperation should apply to the current president.
Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., said lawmakers have reviewed materials related to Trump’s past relationship with Epstein and raised new questions about the circumstances of their falling out. Trump has denied wrongdoing related to Epstein.
“We would like to see the current president come before us as well and give the same kind of transparency that President Clinton has given us today,” Subramanyam said.
Rep. Yasmin Ansari, D-Ariz., called the deposition “historic” and urged Republican leaders to release full transcripts and video recordings of both Clinton’s testimony and a prior session involving former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
“The American public deserves to hear and see these answers for themselves,” Ansari said.
Democrats also pointed to a newly reopened state investigation in New Mexico and what they described as the first state-level truth commission focused on Epstein-related crimes as part of broader accountability efforts.
The deposition was expected to continue for several more hours, with questioning from both parties. Democrats said they would continue pressing for the release of transcripts and recordings once permitted under committee rules.
Trump and the White House have previously dismissed Democratic allegations surrounding Epstein-related records as politically motivated.
The Epstein case has drawn renewed scrutiny as lawmakers, investigators and victims’ advocates continue to examine how the financier maintained relationships with powerful figures despite prior legal actions and warning signs.
