Clinton Alleges Cover-Up Over Epstein Files
Hillary Clinton has accused President Donald Trump's administration of a "cover-up" regarding its management of files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
"Get the files out. They are slow-walking it," the former US secretary of state told the BBC in Berlin, where she attended the annual World Forum.
The White House responded by asserting that through releasing the files, they had done "more for the victims than Democrats ever have."
Testimony and Congressional Inquiries
When questioned about whether Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should testify before a congressional committee, Hillary Clinton stated:
"I think everyone should testify who is asked to testify."
It is important to note that appearing in the files does not imply wrongdoing. Andrew has consistently denied any misconduct.
Release of Epstein Files and Legislative Actions
Millions of new files related to Epstein were made public by the US Department of Justice earlier this month following Congress's passage of a law mandating the release of materials connected to Epstein investigations.
The Department of Justice (DoJ) has declared that it has released all files required under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. However, lawmakers have criticized the release as insufficient. Kentucky Republican Representative Thomas Massie, co-author of the legislation, has called for the DoJ to disclose internal memos detailing past decisions on whether to prosecute Epstein and his associates.
Background on Epstein and Related Figures
Jeffrey Epstein died in a New York prison cell on 10 August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, without the possibility of bail. His death occurred more than ten years after a conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor, for which he was registered as a sex offender.
Andrew, the former prince, has faced increasing pressure from US officials and the family of his prominent accuser, Virginia Giuffre, to testify before the Oversight Committee regarding his connections to Epstein.
Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre in 2022, which contained no admission of liability. Giuffre died by suicide in 2025.
Clintons' Congressional Appearances
Bill and Hillary Clinton are scheduled to appear before the committee, with Bill Clinton set for 27 February and Hillary Clinton the day prior.
A planned vote to hold the Clintons in contempt of Congress was postponed after they agreed to testify. This will mark the first occasion a former US president has testified before a congressional panel since Gerald Ford in 1983.
Bill Clinton, who is mentioned multiple times in the Epstein files, was acquainted with Epstein, who died in 2019, but asserts he ceased contact two decades ago.
Neither Clinton has been accused of wrongdoing by Epstein's survivors, and both have denied any knowledge of Epstein's sex offenses at the time.
The Clintons have advocated for the hearing to be public rather than a closed-door deposition.
"We will show up but we think it would be better to have it in public," Hillary Clinton told the BBC.
Republican Criticism and Clinton's Response
Republican committee chair James Comer accused the Clintons of "delay," stating the pair "caved" as a contempt vote approached.
"I just want it to be fair," said Hillary Clinton. "I want everybody treated the same way."
"We have nothing to hide. We have called for the full release of these files repeatedly. We think sunlight is the best disinfectant."
The former presidential candidate suggested that she and her husband were being used to divert attention from Trump.
"Look at this shiny object. We're going to have the Clintons, even Hillary Clinton, who never met the guy."
Hillary Clinton also stated she had met Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's convicted associate, "on a few occasions."
Trump's Position and White House Statement
President Trump, who is mentioned hundreds of times in the Epstein files, has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein, claiming he severed contact decades ago. He has not been accused of crimes by Epstein's victims.
Regarding allegations against Trump, the DoJ has previously stated:
"Some docs contain untrue and sensationalist claims against Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election. To be clear the claims are unfounded and false and if they have any shred of credibility they certainly would have been weaponised against Trump already."
The White House declared:
"By releasing thousands of pages of documents, co-operating with the House Oversight Committee's subpoena request, and President Trump recently calling for further investigations into Epstein's Democrat friends, the Trump Administration has done more for the victims than Democrats ever have."
