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Tag: clinton

  • Bill Clinton to be questioned over Epstein connections

    Bill Clinton to be questioned over Epstein connections

    Former U.S. President Bill Clinton is set to face questions from a congressional committee on Friday regarding his well-known associations with Jeffrey Epstein. This comes as Democrats aim to redirect attention toward Donald Trump’s connections to the convicted sex offender.

    Clinton appears prominently in recent Epstein files, yet he maintains he severed ties with Epstein before the financier’s 2008 conviction for sex crimes. Merely being mentioned in the Justice Department’s released files doesn’t suggest any misconduct, and Clinton has not been formally accused or investigated.

    He followed his wife, Hillary Clinton, who testified Thursday, demanding that Trump—who also had dealings with Epstein—must also testify before Congress.

    “If this committee truly wants to uncover the truth about Epstein’s trafficking activities… they should ask Trump directly—under oath—about his numerous appearances in Epstein’s files,” Hillary said in a statement made online.

    The testimonies are taking place in private, despite the Clintons’ calls for openness and live broadcasts. Bill Clinton criticized the private sessions, comparing them to a “kangaroo court.”

    This inquiry poses a greater risk for Clinton, who has acknowledged he was in contact with Epstein but insists he never visited Epstein’s private Caribbean island. Epstein, known for his associations with the world’s wealthy and powerful, was convicted in 2008 for soliciting sex from minors as young as 14. He died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

    The House Oversight Committee, led by Republicans, is investigating individuals linked to Epstein, especially following the release of millions of new documents from the Justice Department.

    Hillary Clinton affirmed she never flew on Epstein’s plane nor visited his island. Though the Clintons initially refused to testify, they agreed after threats from House Republicans to hold them in contempt.

    In her opening statement, Hillary emphasized that the committee’s subpoena was based on assumptions she has information about Epstein and Maxwell’s criminal activities—she’s made it clear she does not.

    Critics argue the investigation is being used as a political weapon against Trump’s opponents rather than for legitimate oversight.

    The newly released Epstein files include previously unseen photos: one shows Clinton relaxing in a hot tub, with part of the image obscured, and another depicts him swimming alongside a woman resembling Ghislaine Maxwell.

    Clinton has acknowledged flying aboard Epstein’s private plane multiple times in the early 2000s for humanitarian work connected to the Clinton Foundation.

    Ghislaine Maxwell’s lawyer, David Markus, recently stated that both Clinton and Trump are “innocent of any wrongdoing.”

    Depositions are scheduled in Clinton’s hometown of Chappaqua, New York, where many journalists gathered, and the Secret Service set up barricades around the venue.

    After Hillary’s testimony concluded, Republican committee Chairman James Comer said lawmakers had “a lot of questions for her husband tomorrow.”

  • Bill and Hillary Clinton to testify in House Epstein investigation

    Bill and Hillary Clinton to testify in House Epstein investigation

    Bill and Hillary Clinton are scheduled to provide testimony before a U.S. House committee investigating the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to a spokesperson for the former president. This move was made to prevent a possible congressional vote to cite the Clintons for contempt of Congress.

    Initially, the Clintons had declined to appear before lawmakers probing how authorities previously handled investigations into Epstein, who maintained ties with many influential figures across business and politics.

    “Our clients will attend, and they’re eager to establish a standard for accountability that should apply universally,” stated Clinton spokesperson Angel Urena on X (formerly Twitter).

    The House Rules Committee had advanced resolutions accusing the Clintons of ignoring subpoenas to appear in person and clarify their connections to Epstein, who died in custody in 2019. The Epstein case continues to influence Washington politics, implicating numerous prominent figures and exposing intense partisan disputes.

    Democrats argue that the investigation is being manipulated to target Trump opponents — noting that Trump, who also had longstanding links to Epstein, has not been called to testify — instead of serving genuine oversight purposes.

    Trump spent years attempting to withhold files related to Epstein, who was known for frequenting elite circles and forming associations with billionaires, lawmakers, academics, and celebrities.

    While neither Trump nor the Clintons have been formally accused of crimes tied to Epstein, the Clintons initially challenged the subpoenas, claiming they were invalid due to lack of clear legislative intent.

    Republicans contend that their past connections to Epstein, including Bill Clinton’s use of Epstein’s private jet in the early 2000s, warrant sworn testimony under oath.

    In response, both Bill and Hillary submitted sworn written statements outlining their knowledge of Epstein and Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking. Clinton acknowledged flying on Epstein’s plane for humanitarian work related to the Clinton Foundation but denied visiting Epstein’s private island. Hillary stated she had minimal interactions, never flew on his plane, and never visited his island.

    Following their agreement to testify, the Rules Committee paused its vote on holding the Clintons in contempt. Had the vote passed, it could have revealed divisions within the Democratic ranks — some members emphasized that all individuals should be scrutinized to uncover Epstein’s full crimes, while others feared that such actions might be used politically to shift focus away from Trump’s Epstein connections.

    Recently, the Justice Department released what it claims is the final batch of Epstein investigation files.

  • Bill and Hillary Clinton Decline to Testify in House Epstein Investigation

    Bill and Hillary Clinton Decline to Testify in House Epstein Investigation

    Bill and Hillary Clinton declined to testify in a House Republican investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, dismissing it as a partisan effort. In a letter to Rep. James Comer, the Clintons stated, “Everyone must decide when they’ve had enough and are ready to stand up for this country, its values, and its people—regardless of what it costs.” They added, “Now is that time for us.” The committee plans to hold former President Clinton in contempt next week, which could lead to criminal charges, and will also pursue contempt proceedings against Hillary Clinton if she doesn’t appear before the panel on Wednesday.

    The Clintons indicated they had provided what limited information they possessed for the investigation and accused Comer of diverting attention from the Trump administration’s actions. Epstein died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges, with authorities ruling his death a suicide. The Clintons argued that if the government failed to thoroughly investigate these crimes, that failure should be their focus, not politics. They claimed there is no credible evidence implicating Clinton in sex trafficking.

    Comer asserted that most Americans want Bill Clinton to answer questions related to Epstein. He highlighted that Epstein visited the White House 17 times during Clinton’s presidency and flew on Epstein’s private plane approximately 27 times. Clinton has publicly expressed regret over his association with Epstein but insists he was unaware of any criminal activity. No evidence has linked Clinton to sex trafficking.

    The Justice Department continues releasing files related to Epstein’s criminal investigations, some of which involve connections with Trump and the Clintons. In response to the subpoenas for their testimony, the Clintons’ lawyers called them invalid and alleged they were simply political ploys aimed at embarrassing opponents, as per President Trump’s directives.

  • Famous Faces and Hidden Pages

    Famous Faces and Hidden Pages

    The US Department of Justice has started releasing a highly anticipated batch of documents related to its investigation into the controversial case of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. However, much of the material is heavily redacted, raising questions about transparency.

    Included in the released materials are numerous photographs featuring former President Bill Clinton and other notable figures such as Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson, who were linked to Epstein’s social network.

    Many of these documents are obscured by extensive blackouts, and the release was tightly controlled by officials from the Trump administration. This has fueled skepticism over whether the disclosures will quell conspiracy theories about a potential high-level cover-up.

    For example, a 119-page document labeled “Grand Jury-NY” is completely redacted, and a list of 254 masseuses has all their names hidden behind thick black bars, with notes stating the redactions are to protect potential victims.

    Despite these redactions, the files provide some insight into Epstein’s close associations with affluent, influential individuals, including former President Donald Trump, who was once a friend.

    Some of the images released are particularly striking. They include photos of Maxwell with disgraced Prince Andrew, with Maxwell lying across several people’s laps, and a young-looking Clinton relaxing in a hot tub in another blacked-out image. There are also images of Clinton swimming with a woman resembling Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

    The White House quickly responded, with Communications Director Steven Cheung posting on X that Clinton’s appearances in the documents were being highlighted to suggest awareness or involvement. Clinton’s spokesperson, Angel Urena, countered by emphasizing that the country deserves transparency and answers, and accused the White House of attempting to hide these files to protect individuals, not for legitimate reasons.

    Critics, including some Republicans, argue that the release does not fulfill the legal obligation set forth by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandated that all case files be made available to the public by that Friday, except where legal or privacy concerns apply. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie condemned the release as a failure to comply with the law’s intent.

    Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that Democrats will explore all options to ensure the truth comes out. Former President Trump also played a role, having tried to prevent the release while in office. Although he once promised full transparency, he later dismissed the effort as a “Democrat hoax,” and a memo from his Justice Department in July claimed there would be no further disclosures, a move Trump later reversed due to mounting pressure.

    Despite the partial release, only Maxwell has been convicted in connection with Epstein’s crimes—she received a 20-year sentence for recruiting underage girls for Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 under circumstances ruled a suicide. Authorities continue to withhold some evidence tied to ongoing investigations to protect the identities of Epstein’s numerous victims.

  • Key Insights from the Epstein Files Disclosure

    Key Insights from the Epstein Files Disclosure

    The U.S. Justice Department has unveiled a fresh set of documents from its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender. These files have been a major political issue for President Donald Trump, with many of his supporters and congressional Republicans calling for their release. It remains uncertain whether this partial disclosure will quell critics’ concerns.

    Key observations from the newly released documents include:

    Limited Mentions of Trump
    Prior to the release, the main question was: How much would Trump be featured? Trump and Epstein were known to be friends and socialized regularly in the 1990s and early 2000s. Trump claimed they had a falling out in the mid-2000s, before Epstein’s first conviction in 2008. The documents, totaling hundreds of thousands of pages, notably contain few references to Trump. The Justice Department stated that additional files would be published over the next two weeks.

    An initial review by Reuters uncovered very few photos or mentions of Trump. There was one photo of Epstein with a check bearing Trump’s name and another picture taken inside Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse, where Trump’s 1997 book, Trump: The Art of the Comeback, was tucked away on a bookshelf. Previously released flight manifests list Trump and some family members among Epstein’s plane passengers. Additionally, Trump and his relatives appeared in Epstein’s contact book, which was made public during Ghislaine Maxwell’s 2021 trial. Trump has consistently denied any misconduct related to Epstein or knowledge of his illegal activities.

    Significant References to Bill Clinton
    The documents feature numerous references and photos of former President Bill Clinton. These include images of Clinton swimming with Maxwell and an unidentified individual, another with him in a hot tub, and a photo of a woman sitting beside him with her face censored. There’s also a picture of a portrait of Clinton in a blue dress hanging in Epstein’s Manhattan residence.

    The release of Clinton’s photos could clash with Department policy regarding ongoing investigations. Trump has instructed the DOJ to probe Clinton’s connection to Epstein, which critics argue might be an attempt to divert attention from Trump’s own links to Epstein. Clinton denies knowing about Epstein’s crimes and regrets ever meeting him.

    Victims, Relatives, and Other Included Material
    Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche informed Congress that over 1,200 victims and their families have been identified through an extensive review of the files. One document, Epstein’s masseuse list, contains 254 names, though all were redacted. The released files also include FBI records from investigations in 2006, 2018, and 2019 concerning Epstein’s death.

    Heavy Redactions and Democrat Criticism
    Most of the released documents are heavily redacted; for instance, a 119-page grand jury testimony was completely obscured, along with three other 100-page files. Many Democrats criticized the DOJ for not releasing all files by the Congressional deadline, citing failure to fully comply with law. Leaders like Adam Schiff called for explanations from Attorney General Pam Bondi, while Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer noted that the released material represents only a small part of all evidence. House Republican Thomas Massie criticized the partial release, saying it does not align with the law Congress enacted.

    Ultimately, the limited content and sparse mention of Trump—compared to the numerous references to Clinton—suggest that questions about Trump’s involvement with Epstein are still unresolved, and the controversy may persist.

  • US Epstein Files Reveal Clinton, Little Mention of Trump

    US Epstein Files Reveal Clinton, Little Mention of Trump

    The US Justice Department has released hundreds of thousands of pages of documents related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The newly released files mention President Donald Trump only minimally but highlight extensive connections to Democrat former President Bill Clinton.

    This release follows a law passed overwhelmingly by Congress last November demanding the disclosure of all Epstein-related records. Despite efforts by Trump to keep the files sealed for months, the law compelled their release. While Trump has promoted conspiracy theories about Epstein over the years, the case has become a political issue for him since returning to the White House in January.

    It’s unclear how detailed the new documents are, as many Epstein files have already been made public since his death in 2019—ruled as a suicide—while in jail. Reuters is currently examining these documents. They include evidence from multiple investigations, along with photographs of Clinton, who has often been criticized by Trump’s Republicans. Notably, the new release contains few references to Trump, with no photos or documents directly mentioning him, despite the well-known friendship between Trump and Epstein during the 1990s and early 2000s.

    This absence is striking because previous Epstein releases included images and documents involving Trump, such as flight manifests listing passengers on Epstein’s private plane, part of the first batch released in February. Both Trump and some family members were listed in Epstein’s contact book, which was made public during the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former associate and girlfriend.

    Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche indicated that more documents will be released later, possibly revealing more about Trump’s involvement. Last month, Trump ordered an investigation into Clinton’s ties to Epstein, a move some saw as an attempt to divert attention from his own connections.

    One of the newly released images shows Clinton in a swimming pool with Maxwell and another individual whose face is obscured. Clinton has previously expressed regret for socializing with Epstein and claimed he was unaware of any illegal activities.

    The Justice Department noted that all efforts were made to redact victims’ personal information, but some details might still be disclosed inadvertently. Blanche estimated it will take about two more weeks to review additional documents for release, which include over 1,200 victims or relatives listed in the files.

    The White House issued a statement claiming that this release demonstrated transparency and a commitment to justice for Epstein’s victims, criticizing previous Democratic administrations for not sharing the files. However, critics point out that Congress forced the release, especially after Trump officials earlier announced no further files would be made public this year. Democrats further argued that many of the files remain heavily redacted and that the full evidence has yet to be revealed.

    Public opinion among Trump supporters remains divided. A recent poll showed only 44% of Republican-identified adults approve of Trump’s handling of the Epstein situation, compared to an overall approval rating of 82%. This issue has already affected his political standing ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, where control of Congress is at stake.

    Following these disclosures, Trump instructed the Justice Department to investigate Epstein’s relationships with Clinton and JPMorgan Chase. Despite White House pressure to delay the release, Congress passed and Trump signed a law mandating the publication of all remaining records.

    Trump was once close with Epstein, but their relationship soured in the mid-2000s, before Epstein’s first conviction in 2008. Trump has not been accused of any wrongdoing and denies knowledge of Epstein’s sex trafficking activities.

    The law governing the release of files allows the withholding of personal victim information and materials that could interfere with ongoing investigations. Previous disclosures have revealed Epstein’s continued communications with high-profile figures, including Steve Bannon, Larry Summers, Peter Thiel, and Prince Andrew—who was later stripped of his royal titles over his links with Epstein.

    Spokespeople for Bannon, Thiel, and Prince Andrew haven’t responded to requests for comment. Summers has publicly expressed shame after documents showed he sought relationship advice from Epstein as recently as 2019, despite having a history of associations with him. JPMorgan paid $290 million in 2023 to settle claims from Epstein’s victims, having maintained Epstein as a client for five years after his 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor.

  • Justice Department Agrees to Investigate Epstein’s Connections with Democrats at Trump’s Request

    Justice Department Agrees to Investigate Epstein’s Connections with Democrats at Trump’s Request

    The U.S. Justice Department announced on Friday that it will proceed with President Donald Trump’s request to investigate Jeffrey Epstein’s connections to former Democratic President Bill Clinton and JPMorgan Chase. This move aims to divert attention from Trump’s own ties to Epstein, a convicted sex offender. The decision follows a congressional committee’s release of thousands of documents that once again raised questions about Trump’s relationship with Epstein, continuing a pattern where Trump has urged federal authorities to target political rivals.

    Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that Jay Clayton, the lead federal prosecutor in Manhattan, will oversee the inquiry. Epstein’s scandal has long been a source of political tension for Trump, partly because he has propagated conspiracy theories related to Epstein to his supporters.

    Many of Trump’s supporters believe that Bondi and other officials have concealed Epstein’s associations with influential individuals and obscured the circumstances around his 2019 death in a Manhattan jail, which was ruled a suicide. Trump has used the Justice Department to target other political opponents, notably ex-FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, both of whom faced charges after Trump replaced prosecutors leading their cases.

    Legal experts warn that Trump’s efforts could weaken ongoing criminal investigations, as judges have the authority to dismiss cases driven by “vindictive prosecution” motives—allegations both Comey and James have raised, but which courts have yet to resolve.

    Patrick J. Cotter, a former federal prosecutor, criticized Trump’s interference, stating it was “outrageously inappropriate” and that “that’s not how the system is supposed to work.” Trump has additionally called on the Justice Department to examine Larry Summers, a former Treasury Secretary, and Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn’s founder and a significant Democratic fundraiser. All three individuals appeared in Epstein-related documents released by the House Oversight Committee.

    Trump tweeted, “Epstein was a Democrat, and he’s their problem, not ours! They all knew about him. Stop wasting time on me—I have a country to run!” JPMorgan expressed regret over its past association with Epstein, clarifying that the bank’s relationship with him, from 1998 to 2013, did not involve aiding in any illegal acts. Clinton’s deputy chief of staff, Angel Urena, stated that the released emails demonstrate that Bill Clinton was unaware of Epstein’s misconduct, dismissing the controversy as political noise.

    Reid Hoffman called on Trump to release all Epstein-related files, claiming his interactions with Epstein were limited to fundraising activities for MIT. He also accused Trump of political persecution, emphasizing the need for transparency.

    The Justice Department’s decision came despite a memo in July, which stated there was no evidence to justify investigating third parties connected to Epstein, claiming there was no “client list” indicating Epstein blackmailed prominent figures.

    While Trump and Epstein were friends in the 1990s and 2000s, Trump asserts he cut ties before Epstein’s 2008 conviction on soliciting minors. Trump has consistently denied any knowledge of Epstein’s abuse, yet some supporters believe there has been a cover-up. Recently, Trump has avoided answering questions from reporters about Epstein, especially as new information has come to light.

    Next week, the Republican-controlled House is expected to vote on legislation that would mandate the release of all remaining Epstein material held by the Justice Department, which was initially facing federal sex trafficking charges at the time of his death. This legislation is anticipated to pass, even after House Speaker Mike Johnson attempted to stall the vote. The bill would also need Senate approval and the president’s signature.

    A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates that only 40% of Republican respondents approved of Trump’s handling of the Epstein files, a significant decline from the 90% who approved of his overall presidential performance.

    JPMorgan settled with victims of Epstein in 2023, paying $290 million after allegations that the bank ignored warning signs and internal complaints about Epstein’s activities. All involved parties deny any involvement in Epstein’s sex trafficking, and figures like Clinton, Summers, and Hoffman have denied wrongdoing, though they acknowledge past associations.

    Clinton flew Epstein’s private jet multiple times before Epstein’s 2008 conviction. Summers accepted philanthropic gifts from Epstein while President of Harvard, and Hoffman has publicly admitted to meeting Epstein in professional contexts. Epstein also engaged socially with prominent figures such as Prince Andrew, who lost his royal standing largely due to his association with Epstein.

    Jay Clayton, who will lead the investigation into Clinton, JPMorgan, and others, is an independent attorney and former SEC chair under Trump.