Hillary Clinton accuses Trump administration of slow-walking Epstein files release
Former secretary of state says Justice Department is deliberately delaying document disclosure; Clintons scheduled to testify before Congress next week.
6 hrs ago
Hillary Clinton accused the Trump administration of orchestrating a "cover-up" over the release of files related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during an interview with the BBC on Monday in Berlin, where she was attending the World Forum.
"Get the files out. They are slow-walking it," Clinton told the British broadcaster, alleging that the Justice Department is deliberately delaying the full disclosure of documents connected to Epstein's case.
The Justice Department released the latest batch of Epstein files last month, comprising more than 3 million documents, photos and videos related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in custody in August 2019 while awaiting trial on additional charges. Epstein had been convicted in 2008 of soliciting minors for sexual purposes.
Clinton's husband, former president Bill Clinton, appears frequently in the files, though no evidence has emerged implicating either Clinton in criminal activity. Bill Clinton has stated he ended his relationship with Epstein approximately two decades ago.
The White House responded to Clinton's accusations by stating that by publishing the files, the Republican administration has done "more for the victims than the Democrats ever did."
Clinton confirmed she will testify before a Congressional committee investigating Epstein's connections to influential figures and the official handling of information about his crimes. Hillary Clinton is scheduled to appear on February 26, with Bill Clinton testifying the following day. This will mark the first time a former U.S. president has testified before a Congressional committee since Gerald Ford did so in 1983.
In her BBC interview, Clinton stated that she and her husband believe their testimony should be conducted in public rather than behind closed doors. "We will appear, but we think it would be better to do it publicly," she said. "We have nothing to hide. We have repeatedly requested the complete publication of these files. We think sunshine is the best disinfectant."
When asked whether Prince Andrew should appear before a Congressional committee, Clinton responded: "I think anyone who is invited to testify should testify."
The Clintons had initially declined to appear before the committee before reversing course and agreeing to testify.