Rep. James Comer (R-KY) said former President Bill Clinton claimed he has no knowledge of President Donald Trump having any involvement with Jeffrey Epstein.
Comer spoke during a break in Clinton’s deposition before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee as part of the investigation into the late convicted sex offender.
“Ranking member Garcia asked President Clinton quote, ‘Should President Trump be called to answer questions for this committee,’ and President Clinton said, ‘That’s for you to decide,’” Comer said. “[Clinton] went on to say that President Trump has never said anything to me to make me think he was involved, and he met with Epstein.”
Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) later said Comer’s account is not a “complete, accurate description of what was actually said.” He added that, in his opinion, Comer has broken committee rules by speaking about what was said in the closed deposition.
Garcia said Clinton has been cooperative in answering questions from committee members “fairly.”
“He has not taken a pass on pleading the fifth for any questions. He’s been very thorough,” Garcia said. “I don’t think he has given any sense that he is uncomfortable to be there.”
Democrat members of the oversight committee delivered remarks after Comer and remained steadfast in their stance that Trump should be called to testify.
“[Clinton] set the tone, in my view … that President Trump needs to now come in to these, answer these questions,” Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) said.
TRUMP SAYS LUTNICK WOULD COMPLY WITH EPSTEIN SUBPOENA: ‘HE’S A VERY INNOCENT GUY’
Khanna added that he and his fellow Democrats believe Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick should also be put before the committee, a move Trump did not oppose, pointing to Lutnick’s innocence.
Khanna and Garcia said Clinton’s testimony has set a precedent for former and serving presidents to testify before congressional committees.
