Neither Clinton is accused of wrongdoing, and yet, the committee’s stated scope is to uncover the alleged federal mismanagement in the Epstein investigation and to determine how Epstein and Maxwell sought to curry favor with high-ranking officials. In this, it seems that the depositions have a warranted investigative merit.
The Clinton Legitimacy Test
In her opening statement, Mrs. Clinton accused the committee of making political hay for no purpose.
“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,” Clinton said. She added: “What is being held back? Who is being protected? And why the cover-up?”
So, either questioning people about their ties to Epstein and Maxwell is an illegitimate use of congressional resources, or it isn’t. To state that she and her husband’s well-documented associations are not worthy of consideration while arguing that Donald Trump’s are is a logic bomb that has yet to detonate.
The vanquished presidential candidate further stated that:
“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.”
According to Oversight Committee Chair Rep. James Comer (R-KY), “The number of times that she said, ‘I don’t know, you’ll have to ask my husband,’ was more than a dozen.” And perhaps getting Hillary Clinton on record regarding her husband was the chief purpose of Thursday’s deposition.
A Democrat Rebuttal
What yesterday’s events – and those expected today – will do is provide fuel for calls to have Trump sit before the committee. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) was quick off the mark to demand a political quid pro quo, saying:
“This committee has now set a new precedent about talking to presidents and former presidents. … And we’re demanding immediately that we ask President Trump to testify in front of our committee and be deposed in front of Oversight Republicans and Democrats, and that should happen immediately.”
A Clinton spokesperson hinted at the same, saying the couple “look forward to setting a precedent that applies to everyone.”
Having the Clintons appear before the committee – if only after threats of contempt charges – will likely not bring any new answers. It is, however, the ultimate political football, but both sides should be wary that it does not morph into a hot potato.
