Former US President Bill Clinton gave opening statements before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on February 27, 2026, addressing questions related to his past association with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The remarks underscored Clinton’s denial of any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.
“I saw nothing and did nothing wrong”
Clinton has been dealing with allegations involving decades-old photos and flight logs, and has steadfastly denied any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities.
“I know what I saw and more importantly what I didn’t see. I know what I did and more importantly what I didn’t do,” he said. “I didn’t see anything and I didn’t do anything wrong.
Clinton said that if he had known of any wrongdoing, he would have cut ties immediately and supported legal action.
“No one is above the law”
Clinton began by calling her appearance a matter of civic duty.
“America was built on the idea that no one is above the law, not even presidents — especially presidents,” he said, urging lawmakers to prioritize “truth and justice” over partisan conflict.
He said he came forward voluntarily to help move the country “off the fringes” and into constructive engagement.
Support for victims
Clinton said his second reason for testifying was to recognize the victims of Epstein’s crimes.
“The girls and women whose lives Jeffrey Epstein destroyed deserve not only justice, but also healing,” he said.
Although Clinton admitted to a “brief acquaintance” with Epstein years before the financier’s crimes were made public, he insisted he knew of no wrongdoing during their interactions and ended contact long before Epstein’s 2008 guilty plea.
Read also | Epstein files turn spotlight on Bill Clinton: What DOJ records reveal
Defending Hillary Clinton
In a personal moment during his remarks, Clinton criticized the committee for requiring his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, to appear.
“She had nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. Nothing,” he said, adding that she had no recollection of meeting Epstein, never traveled with him and never visited his properties.
He called the subpoena “just not right.”
Gaps in memory and the oath under scrutiny
Clinton admitted that during the questioning he could often respond with “I don’t remember”, referring to the passage of time.
“That was all a long time ago,” he said, adding that he would not speculate or guess under oath.
He concluded by telling lawmakers that he was prepared to answer questions “in accordance with the facts as I know them — legitimate, logical and even strange.”
The hearing marked a significant moment in the renewed congressional investigation into Epstein’s network and past associations.
Read also | ‘I had no idea…’: Hillary Clinton testifies about her ties to Jeffrey Epstein
