Epstein Case
Testimony from Hillary and Bill Clinton could finally crack the Epstein case. But not in the way Donald Trump hoped.
What was intended as a major triumph for the Republican majority on the House Oversight Committee ultimately fell flat. The historic moment – the first time a former president had been questioned by the committee – included testimony from a former Secretary of State and presidential candidate as well.
Hillary Clinton, once labeled “lock her up” and “Crooked Hillary,” found herself back in the spotlight.
However, behind a wind-swept podium outside the town hall in Chappaqua, New York – the Clinton’s hometown – committee chair Jim Comer appeared less confident than he had months prior when he subpoenaed Bill and Hillary Clinton to testify in the Epstein case. A great deal has changed since then.
What Comer may have envisioned as a scandal to pin on Democrats – particularly Bill Clinton – spiraled out of control. Republicans themselves became entangled in Epstein’s web, a reality difficult to ignore.
The initial question Comer faced was why he had summoned Hillary Clinton, who had no contact with Jeffrey Epstein, instead of prominent men like Howard Lutnick, a trade minister, and Les Wexner, Epstein’s benefactor. If Bill Clinton was required to answer questions, why not Donald Trump, who appears in Epstein-related documents and photos far more frequently? And if Hillary had to answer for Bill, why not Melania Trump, who had close ties to both Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell?
The strategy backfired. The tactic, which seemed brilliant just months ago, now appeared to be a misstep. It shifted attention to where those involved didn’t want it. Donald Trump had hinted at this when he recently stated he didn’t want his old friend Bill to be called to testify. “Bill is a nice guy. I like him,” he said. And he described Hillary as “a very competent woman” – praise rarely heard from Trump regarding Clinton.
The problem is that the Epstein case isn’t a partisan issue to be used to divide voters. Democrats don’t want to protect Bill Clinton if he is guilty of abuse or financial crimes. And Trump’s supporters want all the documents released, regardless of who they implicate, and want those responsible to be held accountable, whether Democrat or Republican.
For weeks, Donald Trump has declared himself exonerated and said it’s time to move on. The case, however, is too large, too complex, and too serious to sweep under the rug.
It’s also not uncomplicated to inquire voters to look the other way when Republicans in Congress are waving their hands and shouting, “Look at us! We’ve caught Bill and Hillary!”
Once again, Hillary Clinton was forced to face the cameras and answer for the actions of her husband, Bill. There is nothing in the Epstein documents to suggest the two had contact. Her name appears frequently because Epstein was obsessed with Donald Trump’s campaign against her. Ghislaine Maxwell did attend the wedding of their daughter, Chelsea, but as a plus-one of Bill’s friend.
Donald Trump has used this tactic before, and Comer likely thought he could use it again. During one of the presidential debates in 2016, Trump invited several women who had either reach forward as Bill Clinton’s mistresses or accused him of abuse, simply to humiliate her. In preparation for the Oversight Committee’s questioning, Democrats requested that it be limited to the Epstein case and not veer into topics like Monica Lewinsky.
Bill Clinton, of course, is a different story. There are photos of him in the files, seemingly with a young woman on his lap aboard Epstein’s plane, and another with him in a swimming pool with a woman whose face is blurred. Despite public opinion and Jimmy Kimmel appearing to find him guilty, Comer stressed that they have no basis to believe he committed any crimes.
Clinton maintains he traveled on Epstein’s private jet in connection with the Clinton Foundation’s operate and that they had no contact after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for sex offenses. He is scheduled to testify under oath Friday, and the transcript will be made public shortly.
Regardless of what comes out, it will raise questions Trump doesn’t want answered. Why must Bill Clinton, a long-departed president, answer questions when the current president dismisses all accusations? The perception of political theater in Chappaqua won’t quell the demand for accountability. Quite the opposite.
