Hillary Clinton has launched a fierce attack on Donald Trump, claiming his administration is “slow-walking” crucial documents connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“Get the files out”
Speaking to the BBC in Berlin while attending the World Forum, the former presidential candidate and U.S. Secretary of State criticized how she and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, have been treated in light of the newly released Epstein files.
“Look at this shiny object,” she said. “We’re going to have the Clintons, even Hillary Clinton, who never met the guy.”
Clinton accused the Trump administration of attempting to bury key information.
“Get the files out. They are slow-walking it,” she told the BBC, adding, “We have nothing to hide. We have called for the full release of these files repeatedly. We think sunlight is the best disinfectant.”
Millions of pages from Epstein’s estate were recently made public by the Department of Justice (DoJ), exposing his relationships with high-profile figures.
Flew on Epstein’s private jet
Being mentioned in the files does not indicate wrongdoing. Among those named are Bill Clinton and Donald Trump.
Bill Clinton, the 42nd U.S. president, had social and professional ties with Epstein from the early 1990s into the 2000s. Epstein visited the White House multiple times during Clinton’s presidency, and the former president flew on Epstein’s private jet several times after leaving office for charitable trips.
Hillary has stressed that neither she nor her husband were ever accused of wrongdoing by survivors and had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes at the time.
However, she confirmed that she had encountered Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted associate, “a few times.”
The Clintons have also agreed to testify before a congressional committee investigating Epstein. Hillary is scheduled for February 26, with Bill following the next day.
“We will show up but we think it would be better to have it in public,” Hillary said, emphasizing transparency. “I just want it to be fair. I want everybody treated the same way.”
Hillary also commented on the broader principle of accountability, saying, “I think everybody should testify who is asked to testify,” in response to questions about whether other high-profile figures should appear before Congress.
Trump’s fierce reply
The hearing comes after Republican House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer criticized the couple for initial delays, saying they were “caving” as a contempt vote loomed.
The planned vote was shelved after the Clintons agreed to testify.
Responding to Hillary Clinton’s accusations on Tuesday, Donald Trump told reporters: “I have nothing to hide, I’ve been exonerated, I have nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. They’re getting pulled in, and that’s their problem, we’ll have to see what happens.”
He added, “She seriously has Trump derangement syndrome.”
The White House statement added: “By releasing thousands of pages of documents, cooperating 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.”