Clinton testimony sparks fierce partisan clash in US

Published: 27 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

The Clinton testimony before a Republican-led congressional committee descended into fierce political confrontation on Thursday, as former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton accused lawmakers of staging a “fishing expedition” to shield Donald Trump.

Speaking during a closed-door session near her home in Chappaqua, New York, Clinton delivered a blistering opening statement. She insisted she had never met the late financier Jeffrey Epstein and had no knowledge relevant to the inquiry. The Clinton testimony, she argued, was not a genuine search for truth but partisan political theatre.

Lawmakers convened at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center rather than on Capitol Hill. The unusual venue followed negotiations over a subpoena issued by committee chair James Comer. Clinton and her husband, former president Bill Clinton, had initially resisted appearing in person. They ultimately agreed after being threatened with contempt proceedings.

In her remarks, Clinton said she had been compelled to testify despite lacking any relevant information. She accused Republican members of seeking distraction from legitimate questions surrounding Trump’s past relationship with Epstein. The Clinton testimony, she added, was an insult to the American public.

Epstein, who died in custody in 2019, had faced federal sex trafficking charges. His long association with prominent political and business figures has fuelled years of speculation. Clinton told the committee she had campaigned against human trafficking throughout her career. She said any serious inquiry would directly question those with documented links to Epstein.

Tensions escalated when a photograph of Clinton giving evidence surfaced online. The image was reportedly shared by conservative commentator Benny Johnson and allegedly taken by Republican congresswoman Lauren Boebert. Closed-door congressional rules prohibit photography during depositions. Democrats swiftly condemned the breach as unacceptable and disruptive.

Boebert later defended her actions on social media, making a pointed reference to the 2012 attack in Benghazi. That attack occurred while Clinton served as Secretary of State and remains politically contentious. The hearing was briefly paused at the request of Clinton’s legal team before resuming later that afternoon.

Following the interruption, Clinton completed several more hours of questioning. Outside the venue, she told journalists she would have preferred a fully public hearing. She expressed frustration that agreed procedures had been disregarded. Clinton described the questions as repetitive and occasionally veering into conspiracy territory.

According to her account, some queries referenced UFOs and the discredited “Pizzagate” theory. She said she repeatedly stated she had never met Epstein. “It is on the record numerous times,” she told reporters. The Clinton testimony, she maintained, offered nothing new to investigators.

The committee’s ranking Democrat, Robert Garcia, defended her cooperation. Garcia said Clinton had answered every question presented to her. He called for transcripts of the deposition to be released within 24 hours. Transparency, he argued, would allow the public to judge fairly.

Republicans framed the inquiry differently. Comer stated that no one was accusing the Clintons of wrongdoing. However, he insisted the committee had a duty to explore all potential links within the so-called Epstein files. He noted that other public figures had complied with similar requests without objection.

Among those previously questioned were former Attorney General Bill Barr and former Labour Secretary Alex Acosta. Both served during Trump’s first administration. Comer said the investigation aimed to understand the broader network surrounding Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

Democrats countered that Trump himself should testify under oath. Garcia referenced disclosures that certain files had been excluded from recent document releases. These files reportedly involved allegations by a woman claiming sexual assault when she was a minor. Trump has denied wrongdoing in past statements.

The Clintons have long argued they are being singled out unfairly. Bill Clinton has acknowledged flying four times on Epstein’s private plane. He has said he severed ties in 2006 when Epstein’s misconduct became widely known. Photographs released in justice department files show the two men socialising.

Bill Clinton is scheduled to deliver his own deposition under identical arrangements. Lawmakers have travelled to Chappaqua for both appearances. Written transcripts and video footage are expected to be released in the coming days. The Clinton testimony process has already intensified partisan divisions.

Historically, both Clintons have endured lengthy Republican-led investigations. In 2015, Hillary Clinton testified for nine hours before a House select committee examining the Benghazi attack. Many analysts concluded that performance blunted political criticism at the time. Bill Clinton faced sworn testimony during independent counsel investigations in 1998.

Those proceedings involved allegations linked to Paula Jones and later to Monica Lewinsky. The investigations ultimately led to impeachment proceedings, though he was acquitted by the Senate. The current Clinton testimony revives memories of those intense political battles.

Outside the arts centre, both parties sought to control the narrative. Republicans argued that due process required equal scrutiny of all individuals named in released files. Democrats insisted the focus should remain on documented associations and verified evidence. The Clinton testimony became a symbolic flashpoint in that broader struggle.

Observers note that the Epstein case continues to cast a long shadow over American politics. Thousands of documents remain in the possession of the US Department of Justice. Disputes persist over the scope and timing of their release. Public trust in institutions has been strained by years of conspiracy claims and partisan rhetoric.

For UK readers, the spectacle offers a familiar lesson about political accountability. Britain has witnessed its own debates over transparency and public trust. The American drama underscores how unresolved questions can linger for years. It also highlights the risks when investigations become entwined with electoral rivalries.

As proceedings concluded for the day, Clinton reiterated her call for openness. She said she believed sunlight was the best remedy for suspicion. Whether the Clinton testimony shifts public opinion remains uncertain. What is clear is that it has reignited long-standing divisions in Washington.

With Bill Clinton due to appear next, attention will remain fixed on Chappaqua. The release of transcripts may clarify what was asked and answered. Yet the political storm surrounding Epstein shows little sign of abating. For now, the Clinton testimony stands as another chapter in an enduring saga.

Check our latest news