Clinton's Opening Statement: Denies Knowledge of Epstein’s Crimes
Hillary Clinton released her opening statement ahead of her testimony before the House Oversight Committee. She stated that she submitted a sworn statement to the committee on January 13, affirming she had no knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s or Ghislaine Maxwell’s criminal activities or the investigations related to them.
“The Committee justified its subpoena to me based on its assumption that I have information regarding the investigations into the criminal activities of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Let me be as clear as I can. I do not,” she said. “I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein. I never flew on his plane or visited his island, homes or offices. I have nothing to add to that.”
Clinton expressed horror at learning of Epstein and Maxwell’s crimes, stating that the committee’s investigation was intended to assess the government’s handling of the cases. She noted that eight law enforcement officials were subpoenaed, most of whom submitted statements indicating they had no relevant information. She criticized the proceedings as lacking transparency and being partisan.
“This institutional failure is designed to protect one political party and one public official, rather than to seek truth and justice for the victims and survivors, as well as the public who also want to get to the bottom of this matter. My heart breaks for the survivors. And I am furious on their behalf,” she said.
According to the Associated Press, Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the House Oversight panel, called for Donald Trump to testify in the investigation, arguing that Bill Clinton’s scheduled appearance set a precedent for Trump’s testimony.
“Let’s get President Trump in front of our committee to answer the questions that are being asked across this country from survivors.”
Committee Chair James Comer previously stated that the committee cannot depose Trump as he is a sitting president. Prior to Hillary Clinton’s testimony, Comer emphasized that the probe was not partisan.
When asked about the possibility of questioning Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Comer responded that it was “very possible” and that Lutnick’s name might arise during questioning. Lutnick has admitted to having lunch with Epstein on his private island.
Comer noted that Republicans linked to the Trump administration, including former Labor Secretary Alex Acosta and former Attorney General Bill Barr, have already been questioned. He emphasized that anyone with knowledge of Epstein or the investigation is of interest to the committee.
“I think we all agree the government failed. The government failed the victims, and what our role is, we can’t prosecute anymore, but what we have been doing is getting transparency to the American people. We’re seeing accountability, but we have a desire to see a lot more accountability. We want to get the answers, and hopefully the next two days will be a step in the right direction.”
Comer stated that documents clearly show Ghislaine Maxwell was Epstein’s main co-conspirator. The Clintons’ relationship with Maxwell and Epstein’s financial contributions to Clinton-related initiatives will be part of the questioning, including Maxwell’s attendance at Chelsea Clinton’s wedding.
“Again, that’s not saying anything illegal, but there are a lot of questions pertaining to Secretary Clinton,” he said.
Throughout her opening statement, Clinton detailed her decades-long work protecting women and girls and combating human trafficking in various public roles. She described Epstein as a “heinous individual” but noted he was “far from alone.” She urged the committee to conduct a nonpartisan investigation, including subpoenaing Donald Trump.
“A committee endeavoring to stopping human trafficking would seek to understand what specific steps are needed to fix a system that allowed Epstein to get away with his crimes in 2008.
A committee run by elected officials with a commitment to transparency would ensure the full release of all the files.
It would ensure that the lawful redactions of those files protected the victims and survivors, not powerful men and political allies.
It would get to the bottom of reports that DOJ withheld FBI interviews in which a survivor accuses President Trump of heinous crimes.
It would subpoena anyone who asked on which night there would be the ‘wildest party’ on Epstein’s island.
It would demand testimony from prosecutors in Florida and New York about why they gave Epstein a sweetheart deal and chose not to pursue others who may have been implicated.
It would demand that Secretary Rubio and Attorney General Bondi testify about why this administration is abandoning survivors and playing into the hands of traffickers.
It would seek out officers on the front lines of this fight and ask them what support they need.
It would put forth legislation to provide more resources and force this administration to act.
Instead, you have compelled me to testify, fully aware that I have no knowledge that would assist your investigation, in order to distract attention from President Trump’s actions and to cover them up despite legitimate calls for answers.
If this Committee is serious about learning the truth about Epstein’s trafficking crimes, it would not rely on press gaggles to get answers from our current president on his involvement; it would ask him directly under oath about the tens of thousands of times he shows up in the Epstein files.
If the majority was serious, it would not waste time on fishing expeditions. There is too much that needs to be done.
What is being held back? Who is being protected? And why the cover-up?
My challenge to you, Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee, is the same challenge I put to myself throughout my long service to this nation. How to be worthy of the trust the American people have given you. They expect statesmanship, not gamesmanship. Leading, not grandstanding. They expect you to use your power to get to the truth and to do more to help survivors of Epstein’s crimes as well as the millions more who are victims of sex trafficking.”
The Justice Department announced it will investigate whether any Epstein-related documents were improperly withheld. Several news organizations reported that records, including FBI interviews and notes regarding a woman who accused Trump of sexual abuse as a minor decades ago, were withheld. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee are investigating whether the Justice Department intentionally withheld these documents.
Hillary Clinton Begins Testifying, Denies Knowledge of Epstein’s Activities
As Hillary Clinton began answering questions from the House Oversight Committee, she reiterated that she has no information on Epstein and does not recall ever meeting him, according to her opening statement released on X.
She also urged committee members to question Donald Trump under oath about the Epstein files.
James Comer, chair of the oversight committee, said the committee worked for six months to secure the Clintons’ testimony and moved to hold them in contempt when they did not appear. He noted that a majority of Democrats on the committee either voted to hold the Clintons in contempt or voted present, emphasizing the bipartisan nature of the investigation.
“I think one thing that surprised the Clintons: they assumed the Democrats on the committee would vote in a partisan manner and not vote to hold the Clintons in contempt, and what they learned was a majority of the Democrats on the committee either voted to hold the Clintons in contempt or voted present,” he said. “And I think that’s a statement that this investigation is serious. It is a bipartisan investigation.”
Comer stated that the Clintons have not answered many questions about their knowledge or involvement with Epstein and Maxwell. He stressed that no wrongdoing is being alleged against the Clintons and that due process will be observed. The committee aims to understand more about Epstein, including his wealth accumulation and potential government connections.
“The Democrats have just as many questions for the Clintons as the Republicans,” Comer said. “So this isn’t a partisan witch hunt. This was a motion, a bipartisan motion, supported by the Democrats, to bring the Clintons in. So I don’t think it’s any type of being unfair in any way to the Clintons.”
Hillary Clinton’s testimony is expected to last much of the day, with Bill Clinton’s scheduled for the following day and anticipated to be longer. The committee will release video and transcripts of the depositions after review.
Committee members will provide updates throughout the day. The testimony will occur behind closed doors without a livestream but will be recorded.
The Clintons had requested public testimony. Bill Clinton criticized the closed-door format as “pure politics” and likened it to a “kangaroo court.”
“If they want answers, let’s stop the games & do this the right way: in a public hearing, where the American people can see for themselves what this is really about.”
Cindy McCain to Step Down as UN World Food Programme Executive Director
Cindy McCain announced she will step down from her role as executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to focus on her health. McCain, widow of the late US Senator John McCain, suffered a mild stroke last October and had returned to Italy to resume work. However, the demands of the position have affected her recovery. She began the role in April 2023 and will step down in three months.
“I’ve seen firsthand WFP’s ability to save lives in the most dangerous, destitute, and remote locations of the world, where people need us the most,” she said. “Time and time again, I have seen the WFP team show up where no one else can, no matter the odds. I had truly hoped I could finish out my term, but my health has not recovered to a level that allows me to fully serve the enormous demands of this job. This is one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make.”
McCain added she will remain a strong advocate for WFP and those struggling with hunger worldwide.
Federal Raid in Los Angeles Linked to AI Company Probe
Federal agents raided the Los Angeles Unified School District headquarters and the superintendent’s home in connection with an investigation into a company that developed an AI chatbot for the district, according to the Los Angeles Times. The company, AllHere, is described as a failed AI firm whose founder was charged with fraud in 2024.
Another raid occurred at a Florida address linked to an individual associated with the AI company. The school district confirmed it was cooperating with the investigation but provided no further details.
Democratic States Propose Restrictions on ICE Employees Amid Deportation Campaign
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has hired thousands of officers to implement Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign, described as “wartime recruitment.” In response, Democratic lawmakers in at least four states have introduced bills that would impose long-term employment restrictions on new ICE employees, barring them from law enforcement, public education, or state civil service jobs.
None of these bills have been enacted, and legal challenges are anticipated. The proposals reflect Democratic efforts to counter Trump’s immigration policies amid uncertain prospects for similar federal legislation.
“If you’re an ICE agent, you’re signing up to engage in unlawful conduct. You’re signing up to engage in racially profiling Latino communities. You’re signing up to engage in illegal detentions and deportations of people who have legal rights in this country, you’re signing up for the separation of families and children,” Democratic New Jersey Assemblyman Ravi Bhalla told .
Bhalla introduced legislation to bar from state and local government employment anyone who joins ICE between September 2025 and the expected end of Trump’s term in 2029.
Poll Shows Support for Deporting Unauthorized Immigrants but Disapproval of Tactics
A /Ipsos poll found that 61% of Americans support deporting unauthorized immigrants, including 92% of Republicans and 35% of Democrats. However, most respondents disapprove of Trump’s hard-line tactics, such as masked agents in tactical gear clashing with US citizens.
Trump’s immigration stance contributed to his 2024 presidential election victory, where he criticized Democrats for favoring “open borders.” Among Democrats, 63% oppose deporting unauthorized immigrants, compared to 7% of Republicans.
Trump Administration Halts Medicaid Payments to Minnesota Over Fraud Concerns
JD Vance announced a temporary halt of over $250 million in Medicaid reimbursements to Minnesota, escalating the administration’s “war on fraud.” The move follows a fraud scandal linked to Minneapolis’s Somali community, which prompted federal immigration enforcement actions resulting in two US citizen deaths and protests.
“What we’re doing is we are stopping the federal payments that will go to the state government until the state government takes its obligations seriously to stop the fraud that’s being perpetrated against the American taxpayer,” Vance said at a Washington press conference with Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid.
Oz stated this was the first such action against a state and indicated other states may follow. He also announced a six-month national moratorium on federal funding for durable medical equipment due to benefit fraud concerns.
Medicaid serves over 70 million Americans, including children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with disabilities. Minnesota’s Medicaid and MinnesotaCare programs cover nearly 1.3 million residents, about one in four Minnesotans.
FBI Officials Linked to Trump Documents Case Fired
At least 10 FBI employees connected to the investigation of Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents have been dismissed following revelations that the agency subpoenaed personal records of FBI Director Kash Patel and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles before Trump returned to office.
The firings, reported by and , relate to the federal investigation led by former Justice Department Special Counsel Jack Smith into Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified materials found at Mar-a-Lago after his presidency.
During the investigation, records made by Patel and Wiles, who were close to Trump but private citizens at the time, were subpoenaed.
The FBI has not responded to requests for comment. Patel criticized the agency and claimed the actions represent government overreach by the Biden administration.
US and Iranian Negotiators Meet for Nuclear Talks in Geneva
Iranian and US negotiators are meeting in Geneva for a third round of indirect nuclear talks mediated by Oman. The discussions occur amid a significant buildup of US military assets in the Middle East aimed at pressuring Iran into a deal.
This is the third meeting since June last year, following a period marked by tit-for-tat airstrikes.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has banned weapons of mass destruction, indicating Tehran will not develop nuclear weapons. Khamenei is believed to have issued a fatwa banning such weapons before or in 2005.
Former US President Donald Trump accused Iran of attempting to rebuild its nuclear weapons program but did not clarify intentions regarding a possible military strike, expressing a preference for diplomatic resolution.
Iran maintains it will continue uranium enrichment for peaceful purposes, asserting it as a sovereign right. It has threatened retaliation if the US attacks and warned it would also target Israel.
US Secretary of State Rubio Responds to Cuba Speedboat Shooting Incident
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to speculate on a recent incident in which Cuban soldiers killed four people and wounded six aboard a Florida-registered speedboat that entered Cuban waters and opened fire.
Rubio described the event as highly unusual and stated the US would independently verify facts beyond Cuban government reports.
“Suffice it to say, it is highly unusual to see shootouts in open sea like that. It’s not something that happens every day. It’s something, frankly, that hasn’t happened with Cuba in a very long time,” Rubio said.
Cuba claimed the passengers were armed Cuban exiles attempting to infiltrate the island and conduct terrorism.
“The majority of the facts being publicly reported are those by the information provided by the Cubans. We will verify that independently as we gather more information, and we’ll be prepared to respond accordingly,” Rubio said. “We’re going to have our own information on this. We’re going to figure out exactly what happened.”
Rubio confirmed the incident was not a US government operation and declined to speculate on the boat’s ownership or purpose.
Hillary Clinton to Testify in House Panel’s Epstein Investigation
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is scheduled to testify behind closed doors before a congressional committee investigating Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Former President Bill Clinton is set to testify the following day.
The Clintons initially resisted subpoenas but agreed to testify after House Republicans threatened contempt of Cong...
