The Bill Clinton Epstein deposition on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, put the former president under oath in a closed-door session with the House Oversight Committee in Chappaqua, N.Y. Clinton denied knowing about Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes and rejected any suggestion he did something improper, saying, “I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong,” language reported by both Reuters and CBS News.
The deposition followed Hillary Clinton’s testimony a day earlier and capped months of conflict between the Clintons and the Republican-led committee over subpoenas, in-person testimony and a threatened contempt vote.
Committee leaders say they are trying to map how Epstein built wealth and influence, while Democrats say the probe risks turning into a political spectacle unless it follows evidence and applies the same standards to everyone whose name appears in the files.
Bill Clinton Epstein Deposition Marks a Rare Precedent
Clinton’s appearance was described by CBS News as the first time a former president has been compelled to testify before Congress. The session was held behind closed doors, consistent with House deposition rules that allow transcribed questioning outside of a public hearing.
Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., framed the moment as the result of persistence after months of resistance. He told reporters ahead of the deposition that it took seven months to get the Clintons to appear, a point also highlighted in media coverage of the hearing. The committee has said it plans to release a transcript and may release video after review and approval.
The lead-up matters because the mechanics, subpoenas, contempt threats and negotiation over venue set the tone. The Clintons initially challenged the subpoenas and sought different terms, but agreed to appear in Chappaqua as the House moved closer to a contempt fight.
What Clinton Told Lawmakers Under Oath
In an opening statement, Clinton said he had no idea what Epstein was doing and would not have traveled with him if he had known about crimes involving underage girls. He told lawmakers he would not speculate about events from decades ago and warned that he may answer some questions by saying he does not recall, citing the passage of time.
Clinton also pushed back on the committee’s decision to depose Hillary Clinton, arguing she had nothing to do with Epstein. The former president said she did not travel with Epstein and did not visit his properties, and he criticized the choice to subpoena her as unnecessary.
The committee’s questioning was expected to focus on photos, travel and any references to Clinton in documents tied to Epstein.
Reuters reported that the Justice Department’s document releases include photos of Clinton with women whose faces were redacted, and lawmakers said they want to understand the context of those images, along with Clinton’s past flights on Epstein’s plane.
