02/28/2026, 06:1302/28/2026, 06:13
After former US President Bill Clinton was questioned about the Epstein case before Congress, the responsible committee chairman announced the prospect of subpoenaing other people. The Republican chairman of the control committee, James Comer, also referred to many outstanding questions on Friday evening (local time) about how the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein amassed so much wealth. Democrats, however, saw the questioning of an ex-president as a precedent and demanded that US President Donald Trump also testify under oath before the committee about Epstein.
Bill Clinton during the Democratic National Convention (2024). Clinton’s questioning was conducted behind closed doors. Image: keystone
This is how the questioning of Bill Clinton went
On Thursday, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had already testified for many hours in front of committee members – it took a similar amount of time for her husband. Unlike his wife, however, Bill Clinton did not appear in front of the press afterwards.
The committee chairman Comer, in turn, spoke to journalists afterwards – and described Bill Clinton’s questioning as “very productive”. Clinton tried to answer every question. He said he’s sure many people in the U.S. will have more questions about some of the answers given once the video and transcripts are released.
James Comer to the media on Friday. Image: keystone
The closed hearing was held in Chappaqua, New York, where the Clintons live. The Republicans announced that they would release video recordings of the hearings “as soon as possible.”
In a video later posted on In addition, the Justice Department should publish all Epstein files. “The survivors deserve this.”
Clinton commented on picture with woman in hot tub
Bill Clinton’s name and pictures appear in the documents relating to the investigation into Epstein, who ran an abuse ring for years. Mentions in the files alone are not evidence of misconduct.
Several US media outlets, citing people familiar with the statement, report that Bill Clinton was questioned before the committee about a photo published by the Justice Department. This shows him in a hot tub with a woman whose face has been made unrecognizable. Clinton told members of Congress that he did not know who the woman was and that he had not had sex with her, the New York Times and CNN reported.
Clinton: I “did nothing wrong”
At the beginning of his questioning before the committee, Clinton denied any knowledge of the crimes committed by sex offender Epstein, who died in custody in 2019. In a statement shared on social media, Clinton wrote that he “saw nothing and did nothing wrong.” His acquaintance with Epstein was brief and ended years before his crimes came to light.
Comer also emphasized before the interview that the Clintons were not currently accused of any wrongdoing. The aim of the investigation is to clarify how Epstein gained influence and wealth and which networks possibly protected him. According to him, Bill Clinton should be questioned about photos, emails and travel movements related to Epstein. What is known, among other things, is that Epstein was in the White House 17 times during Clinton’s presidency and that the ex-president traveled on Epstein’s plane at least 27 times, Comer said.
Trump criticizes Clinton’s questioning – and comes into focus himself
While Bill Clinton was still being questioned, Trump expressed his regret. “I like him and I don’t like seeing him testify under oath,” said the US President. In the past, Trump, who himself came into focus in the Epstein affair, had repeatedly tried to draw attention to Clinton.
The Democrat Ro Khanna now explained that Bill Clinton’s statement had set a precedent: If a former president had to comply with a congressional subpoena, then the same must apply to Trump. He ignored a subpoena from the committee investigating the storming of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 – on the grounds that no president or ex-president had ever been forced to testify before a congressional committee by a subpoena.
Several Democrats demanded that Trump also testify before the Epstein committee.
The Democrats also want Minister Lutnick to testify
In addition to Trump, Democrats would like to see another member of the US government there: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Recently released files on the Epstein case show that Lutnick had longer contact with the financier than previously stated. He then admitted at a Senate hearing this month that he had visited Epstein’s Caribbean island in 2012, years after his conviction in 2008, during a family vacation. He did not observe any crimes. Lutnick denies any wrongdoing.
The committee’s ranking Democrat, Robert Garcia, recently said it was “unacceptable” not to subpoena someone who had lied so often about his contacts with Epstein. Lutnick should essentially resign or be removed from office, or at least testify. The White House rejects calls for his resignation.
According to media reports, the Republican Comer recently said that it was “very possible” that Lutnick would be summoned to appear before the committee. (sda/dpa)