Bill Clinton Opening Statement to the House Oversight Committee (Epstein Investigation)
Overview
This page documents the prepared opening statement delivered by former U.S. President Bill Clinton to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee during proceedings connected to the investigation surrounding Jeffrey Epstein.
The statement was issued under oath and addressed Clinton’s past association with Epstein, his lack of claimed knowledge regarding Epstein’s criminal conduct, and his cooperation with investigators. The testimony forms part of the broader public and legal record examining individuals connected to Epstein’s social and travel network.
The prepared remarks also referenced Epstein’s victims and the broader legal effort to establish accountability for trafficking and abuse allegations connected to Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
Document Details
• Speaker: Bill Clinton
• Body: U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee
• Date: February 27, 2026
• Context: Testimony connected to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation
• Format: Prepared sworn opening statement
Key Statements
In the statement, Clinton asserted he had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activity and denied witnessing misconduct. He stated he would not have flown on Epstein’s aircraft had he known of the crimes and claimed he ended his association before Epstein’s 2008 guilty plea.
The remarks emphasized that testimony was being given under oath and framed his participation as cooperation with investigators seeking truth regarding Epstein’s activities and network.
He also addressed subpoenas related to individuals connected to Epstein and referenced the broader legal obligation to provide accurate testimony to Congress.
Why This Matters
Congressional testimony forms part of the official investigative record. Statements made to a congressional committee are sworn representations and may be compared against deposition testimony, court filings, flight records, and witness statements in civil litigation.
Investigations into Jeffrey Epstein have focused heavily on identifying associates and determining what individuals knew about trafficking allegations. The role of prominent public figures is significant because it can establish timelines, social connections, and potential corroboration or contradiction of witness accounts.
The statement therefore serves as a primary source document relevant to litigation, investigative journalism, and historical documentation of the Epstein case.
Context and Related Proceedings
Jeffrey Epstein was arrested in 2019 on federal sex-trafficking charges after previously pleading guilty in 2008 in Florida to solicitation of a minor. He died in federal custody while awaiting trial.
His associate Ghislaine Maxwell was later convicted in federal court in 2021 for recruiting and grooming underage girls for Epstein.
Civil lawsuits — including cases involving Virginia Giuffre — have examined travel records, witness testimony, and social connections involving Epstein’s network. Congressional testimony is frequently analyzed alongside those court records.
Evidence Record
The document images above show the prepared opening statement submitted to the committee, including assertions regarding knowledge of Epstein’s activities, travel, and cooperation with investigators.
Sources
- C-SPAN hearing archive and public affairs coverage
https://www.c-span.org/program/public-affairs-event/fmr-president-bill-clinton-video-statement-after-his-deposition-in-jeffrey-epstein-investigation/674329 - Bill Clinton background reference
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Clinton - Jeffrey Epstein background reference
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Epstein - Ghislaine Maxwell background reference
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghislaine_Maxwell - Virginia Giuffre civil litigation context
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Giuffre
