Former Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton Testifies Behind Closed Doors From Chappaqua; Bill Clinton Set To Testify Friday In Historic Congressional Depositions

Thursday, February 26, 2026, 10:15 A.M. ET. 4 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor: Englebrook Independent News,

CHAPPAQUE, NY.- Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will give testimony today behind closed doors before the Republican-led U.S. House Oversight Committee, marking a significant escalation in congressional scrutiny surrounding her and her husband’s long-examined ties to convicted and deceased child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

    The deposition will not take place on Capitol Hill, but from the Clintons’ private residence in Chappaqua, New York, a decision that has already fueled criticism from transparency advocates and intensified partisan debate. Hillary Clinton’s testimony comes one day ahead of her husband, Bill Clinton, who is scheduled to testify on Friday, February 27, 2026, also from his home.

     The testimony is part of a broader House Oversight investigation into Epstein’s extensive network of wealthy and politically connected individuals, many of whom maintained social, financial, or professional relationships with Epstein in the years prior to his 2019 death while in federal custody.

Closed-Door Depositions Raise Transparency Concerns;

     House Republicans have defended the closed-door format, stating that private depositions allow for more thorough questioning without political grandstanding. Committee leadership has indicated that transcripts and video recordings are expected to be released at a later date.

     Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer has characterized the Clinton testimony as essential to understanding how Epstein’s influence extended into elite political and philanthropic circles. According to committee officials, the inquiry seeks to determine whether powerful figures benefited from or helped obscure Epstein’s criminal conduct.

     Democrats and government-ethics watchdog groups, however, have sharply criticized the decision to conduct the proceedings away from Capitol Hill and outside the view of the public and press. Critics argue that such secrecy undermines public confidence and raises questions about whether political calculations, rather than transparency, are driving the process.

Documented Contacts With Epstein;

     While neither Hillary nor Bill Clinton has been charged with any crime related to Epstein’s sex-trafficking operation, Bill Clinton’s interactions with Epstein are well documented.

     Flight logs and contemporaneous records show that Bill Clinton flew aboard Epstein’s private Boeing 727 at least 16 and up to 27 times in the early 2000s. Clinton has stated that those trips were connected to Clinton Foundation humanitarian work or speaking engagements and has maintained that he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal behavior.

     Hillary Clinton has repeatedly stated, including in sworn declarations, that she does not recall ever meeting Epstein. She has also asserted that her limited interactions with Epstein’s longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell were incidental and related to public events tied to the Clinton Foundation.

     Despite these denials, scrutiny intensified following the recent public release of thousands of pages of Epstein-related records, including flight manifests, internal communications, and previously sealed materials. Among the documents referenced by House Republicans is a photograph of Bill Clinton with Epstein in a private setting, which lawmakers argue underscores the need for sworn congressional testimony.

Political Undercurrents And Partisan Divide;

     Republicans on the Oversight Committee contend that the Clintons’ initial resistance to subpoenas necessitated stronger congressional action. They argue that Epstein’s far-reaching network, which spanned politics, finance, academia, and international elites, demands a comprehensive investigation regardless of party affiliation.

     Democrats counter that the inquiry risks becoming a political spectacle aimed at reviving decades-old controversies without producing new evidence of wrongdoing. They emphasize that no credible evidence has emerged linking either Clinton to Epstein’s criminal acts and warn against conflating association with culpability.

     The partisan clash has only intensified as Republicans frame the testimony as a matter of institutional accountability, while Democrats describe it as selective scrutiny that ignores other politically powerful Epstein associates.

What Comes Next;

     Bill Clinton’s scheduled testimony on Friday is expected to draw significant attention and could shape the trajectory of the Oversight Committee’s broader investigation. Committee officials have indicated that additional high-profile witnesses may be called as the probe continues.

     Once released, transcripts and video from both depositions are likely to fuel renewed debate over transparency, political motive, and the extent to which Epstein’s relationships were scrutinized, or ignored, while he operated in elite circles.

     As the 2026 midterm election cycle approaches, the political ramifications of the Clinton testimony are expected to reverberate well beyond the walls of the Oversight Committee.

Editor’s Note:

This article was written by Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor, and is based on contemporaneous reporting and official committee statements available as of February 26, 2026. At the time of publication, neither Hillary Clinton nor Bill Clinton has been accused or charged with criminal conduct related to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking activities. Englebrook Independent News will continue to report updates as additional information is released or made public.