Former US President Bill Clinton told members of Congress on Friday that he “did nothing wrong” in connection with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He said he never saw any sign of abuse during their association more than 20 years ago.

Clinton Denies Any Wrongdoing

“I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong,” Clinton said in an opening statement posted on social media before his closed-door deposition began.

The testimony took place in Chappaqua, New York. It marked the first time a former US president has been required to give sworn testimony before Congress. The session came one day after his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, also faced questioning from lawmakers.

Although Clinton has not been accused of any crime, lawmakers are examining how powerful individuals maintained ties with Epstein even after his 2008 guilty plea in Florida for soliciting prostitution from an underage girl.

My statement on today’s deposition. pic.twitter.com/1Yu6lBa5pS

— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) February 28, 2026

Lawmakers Demand Accountability

Republican Representative James Comer, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, said before the deposition that many influential people have avoided accountability.

“Men – and women for that matter – of great power and great wealth from all across the world have been able to get away with a lot of heinous crimes and they haven’t been held accountable and they have not even had to answer questions,” Comer said.

Hillary Clinton told lawmakers she had no knowledge of Epstein’s abuse and did not remember meeting him. However, Bill Clinton faced detailed questions about his past links to Epstein and Epstein’s former partner, Ghislaine Maxwell.

Long-Standing Ties Under Scrutiny

In his statement, Clinton acknowledged that he might not recall specific details from events that happened more than two decades ago. Still, he repeated that he had not witnessed any wrongdoing.

After two hours of questioning, Democratic lawmakers said Clinton answered questions and did not invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

Republicans, however, said the American public deserves clarity. “No one’s accusing anyone of any wrongdoing, but I think the American people have a lot of questions,” Comer said.

Interest in Clinton’s relationship with Epstein increased after Epstein’s 2019 suicide in a New York jail cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The issue gained further attention when photos of Clinton appeared in Justice Department files related to Epstein and Maxwell. In one image, Clinton sat on a plane beside a woman whose face was redacted. Another photo showed Clinton and Maxwell in a swimming pool with another unidentified person.

Comer said the committee gathered records showing that Epstein visited the White House 17 times during Clinton’s presidency. He also claimed Clinton flew 27 times on Epstein’s private plane. After Epstein’s 2008 guilty plea, Clinton said he ended contact with him.

“We are only here because he hid it from everyone so well for so long,” Clinton said. “And by the time it came to light with his 2008 guilty plea, I had long stopped associating with him.”

Clinton also criticized the committee for calling his wife to testify. He told Comer that “including her was simply not right.”

Broader Political Fallout

Democrats argue that if a former Democratic president can be questioned, the same standard should apply to Republican President Donald Trump, who also had past interactions with Epstein.

“I think that President Trump needs to man up, get in front of this committee and answer the questions and stop calling this investigation a hoax,” said Representative Robert Garcia.

Comer responded that Trump has already addressed questions from the media.

Trump, meanwhile, expressed sympathy for Clinton. “I like Bill Clinton, and I don’t like seeing him deposed,” he told reporters before leaving the White House for a trip to Texas.

Democrats have also called for scrutiny of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who previously lived near Epstein in New York. Although Lutnick said he cut ties after a troubling visit in 2005, released records showed he attended a 2011 event at Epstein’s home and visited his private island in 2012.

Republican Representative Nancy Mace raised questions about Lutnick’s relationship with Epstein during Hillary Clinton’s testimony. On Friday, she joined calls for Lutnick to appear before the committee.

Democratic Representative Ro Khanna said lawmakers likely have enough support to issue a subpoena if necessary.

The investigation continues as Congress examines how powerful figures interacted with Epstein and what accountability should look like going forward.