George Anjay
In a stark accusation leveled during an interview with the BBC in Berlin, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has accused the Trump administration of orchestrating a deliberate "cover-up" regarding the release of files connected to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Clinton, attending the annual World Forum, asserted that the administration was intentionally "slow-walking" the disclosure of these sensitive documents, urging for their immediate release. Her remarks come in the wake of the US Department of Justice (DoJ) releasing millions of pages of new files pertaining to Epstein’s extensive network and activities earlier this month.
The DoJ had previously explained that approximately three million pages were withheld from public view due to the inclusion of sensitive personal medical information, graphic depictions of child abuse, or details that could potentially compromise ongoing investigations. This selective release has fueled speculation and criticism, with Clinton now directly challenging the administration’s transparency.
When questioned about the potential testimony of Prince Andrew before a congressional committee, Clinton firmly stated, "I think everybody should testify who is asked to testify." While the article notes that the appearance of individuals in the Epstein files does not automatically imply wrongdoing, and Prince Andrew has consistently denied any culpability, the pressure to appear before investigative bodies continues to mount. The congressional committee, while lacking the power to compel Andrew’s appearance, has exerted significant pressure, leading to an agreement from the Clintons to testify. Bill Clinton is slated to appear before the committee on February 27th, with Hillary Clinton scheduled to testify the day prior. This development follows the shelving of a planned contempt of Congress vote against the Clintons after they acceded to the committee’s demands. The impending testimony of a former US president before a congressional panel is a rare event, with the last instance being Gerald Ford’s appearance in 1983.
Hillary Clinton reiterated the couple’s preference for their congressional hearing to be conducted in public, rather than a closed-door deposition. "We will show up but we think it would be better to have it in public," she told the BBC, emphasizing a desire for transparency. This stance contrasts with the view of Republican committee chair James Comer, who had accused the Clintons of "delay" and suggested they had "caved" under the pressure of the looming contempt vote.
Clinton articulated her motivation for demanding a public hearing: "I just want it to be fair. I want everybody treated the same way." She asserted, "We have nothing to hide. We have called for the full release of these files repeatedly. We think sunlight is the best disinfectant." The former presidential candidate further suggested that she and her husband were being unfairly targeted as a "shiny object" to divert attention from broader issues, and potentially from former President Donald Trump. She explicitly stated her belief that she was being invoked despite having "never met the guy."
While Hillary Clinton acknowledged having met Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted associate, "on a few occasions," the article clarifies that Bill Clinton, whose name appears in the Epstein files, was acquainted with Epstein but claims to have severed ties two decades ago. Crucially, neither of the Clintons has been accused of wrongdoing by any of Epstein’s abuse survivors, and both have consistently maintained they were unaware of his sex offending activities at the time.
The recent release of millions of files by the US justice department was mandated by Congress, which passed a law requiring the agency to disclose materials related to Epstein’s investigations. Epstein himself died in a New York prison cell on August 10, 2019, while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, over a decade after his conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor, which required him to register as a sex offender.
Prince Andrew has faced increasing pressure from certain US officials and the family of his prominent accuser, Virginia Giuffre, to testify before the Oversight Committee concerning his alleged connections to Epstein. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing and settled with Giuffre out of court in 2022, a settlement that included no admission of liability. Giuffre tragically died by suicide in 2025.
Former President Donald Trump, whose name also appears in the Epstein files, has repeatedly denied any misconduct related to Epstein, asserting he cut off contact decades ago and has not been accused of any crimes by Epstein’s victims. In response to Hillary Clinton’s comments, Trump, speaking to the BBC aboard Air Force One, stated he had "nothing to hide" and declared he had been "exonerated." He further claimed, "They went in hoping that they’d find it, and they found just the opposite," adding, "They’re getting pulled in. And that’s their problem… Clinton and many other Democrats have been pulled in."
The Department of Justice has previously addressed allegations against Trump, stating, "Some docs contain untrue and sensationalist claims against Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election. To be clear the claims are unfounded and false and if they have any shred of credibility they certainly would have been weaponised against Trump already." The White House, in a statement, defended its administration’s actions, asserting, "By releasing thousands of pages of documents, co-operating with the House Oversight Committee’s subpoena request, and President Trump recently calling for further investigations into Epstein’s Democrat friends, the Trump Administration has done more for the victims than Democrats ever have."
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