Featured Image Credit: Anadolu / Contributor via Getty
Closed-door congressional depositions are typically conducted under strict procedural rules, with recordings and transcripts withheld from public release until they have been reviewed by attorneys. The idea is that whatever happens in that room should stay in said room. However, that standard practice was tested this week during Hillary Clinton’s deposition in the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
Lawmakers convened in Chappaqua, New York, to question the former secretary of state under oath as part of the committee’s ongoing probe into Epstein’s crimes and network. While the session was being recorded, it was not open to the public. Committee chairman Rep. James Comer has said that video and transcripts will be released only after legal review.
Clinton and former President Bill Clinton had reportedly sought a public hearing. Instead, the questioning took place privately.
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Partway through proceedings, an image on social media from inside the room began circulating online.
MAGA influencer Benny Johnson posted a photograph to X (formerly Twitter), appearing to show Clinton seated during the deposition. He wrote: “The first image of Hillary Clinton testifying under oath about Jeffery Epstein to the Republican Oversight Committee.”
He added: “This is the first time Hillary has had to answer real questions about Epstein. Clinton does not look happy.”
Johnson said the photo had been provided by Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert and shared with her permission.
Following the post, Clinton adviser Nick Merrill said the hearing briefly went off the record ‘while they figure out where the photo came from and why possibly members of Congress are violating House rules.’
Boebert later addressed the situation on X, defending the publication of the image. She said: “Benny did nothing wrong…Proceeding with deposition.”
Johnson also claimed Boebert authorised him to share the image ‘with credit’ and accused Clinton’s team of attempting to ‘weasel out of answering questions.’
Democratic members of the committee criticised the leak. Rep. Robert Garcia of California described sharing the photo as ‘unacceptable,’ telling reporters: “Republicans [are] breaking their own committee rules that they established with the secretary and her team.”
He added: “It was gracious of the secretary and her team to continue the deposition.”
Clinton has not been accused of any crimes in connection with Epstein and has denied wrongdoing. In her opening statement to the committee, she said: “I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein. I never flew on his plane or visited his island, homes or offices.”
She also told lawmakers: “Jeffrey Epstein was a heinous individual, but he’s far from alone…This is not a one-off tabloid sensation or a political scandal. It’s a global scourge with an unimaginable human toll.”
