Things escalated quickly
Hillary Clinton appeared on Thursday before a congressional committee over an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, but a leaked photo caused the deposition to pause.
The former US secretary of state was speaking for hours at the behind-closed-doors session.
Her husband, former president Bill Clinton, is set to appear before the committee on Friday.
In her opening statement, Hillary Clinton said that she had “no idea” about the crimes committed by Epstein.
“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”, she added.
As Clinton was answering questions, Benny Johnson, a right-wing political commentator and MAGA influencer, posted on X an image of Clinton which he said which he said was provided to him by GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert.
“The first image of Hillary Clinton testifying under oath about Jeffery Epstein to the Republican Oversight Committee. This is the first time Hillary has had to answer real questions about Epstein. Clinton does not look happy”, Johnson captioned the photo.
Boebert went on to defend the MAGA supporter on X, adding that “Benny did nothing wrong. Proceeding with deposition.”
As per The Independent, after it had become clear the photo had been leaked online, proceedings were paused, with Nick Merrill, Clinton’s adviser, saying the committee hearing went off record “while they figure out where the photo came from and why possibly members of Congress are violating House rules”.
ABC News reports that Boebert responded “why not?” when asked by reporters why she shared the picture, as she also claimed that she hadn’t experienced any repercussions for sending the photo, adding that “there were no rules violated with the photo.”
Clinton slammed the committee after the deposition, telling ABC News that “I think they could have spent the day more productively.”
According to Clinton, the committee often went off topic, and asked her about the Pizzagate conspiracy – the false belief that a paedophile ring containing top Democrat politicians is operating out of a Washington pizzeria – and UFOs.
“I don’t know how many times I had to say I did not know Jeffrey Epstein. I never went to his island. I never went to his homes, I never went to his offices. So it’s on the record numerous times”, the former first lady and presidential candidate added.
Clinton also called for President Donald Trump to appear under oath in relation to Epstein in her opening statement.
“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”, she said.
Hillary Clinton and husband Bill were legally summoned to speak in front of the committee,
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