House Oversight Committee Resumes Clinton Deposition After Photo Leak, Bill Clinton to Testify Tomorrow
Updated (2 articles)
Photo Leak Triggers Immediate Pause in Closed‑Door Session The House Oversight Committee halted Hillary Clinton’s closed‑door deposition on Thursday after a photograph from the room was posted publicly on X, violating the committee’s no‑press rule [1][2]. Conservative podcaster Benny Johnson shared the image, later confirming it was supplied by Rep. Lauren Boebert [1][2]. House spokesperson Nick Merrill said the pause was brief while officials investigated the source of the leak [2].
Deposition Resumes With Democratic Questioning and Clinton’s Defiant Statements The session continued after the interruption, with Democratic members launching an hour of questioning [1][2]. Clinton opened her testimony by stating she never met Jeffrey Epstein and reiterated her sworn January 13 declaration of no knowledge of his crimes [1]. She urged that future testimony be open to the public and asserted that former President Bill Clinton “had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes” [2].
Chairman Comer Controls Video Release and Plans Maxwell Question Chairman James Comer announced that the deposition video will be released only after Clinton’s attorneys have reviewed it, following standard deposition procedures [1][2]. He also indicated he will ask Clinton about Ghislaine Maxwell’s attendance at Chelsea Clinton’s wedding, linking the inquiry to the broader Epstein investigation [2]. No footage has been made public as of the latest update [1].
Bill Clinton Scheduled to Appear, Diplomatic Talks Continue in Geneva Former President Bill Clinton is slated to testify before the committee on Friday, marking the first time a former president will be compelled to appear before Congress; his 2024 memoir notes regret over traveling on Epstein’s private jet [1]. Simultaneously, U.S.‑Iran nuclear negotiations in Geneva concluded without a breakthrough but showed “signs of progress,” and upcoming trilateral talks involving the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia are set for the UAE [2].
Sources
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1.
Newsweek: Photo Leak Pauses Hillary Clinton’s Epstein Deposition: Details the committee’s halt, Boebert’s photo provision to Benny Johnson, Comer’s video‑release restriction, Clinton’s denial of meeting Epstein, and Bill Clinton’s upcoming testimony
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2.
CNN: Hillary Clinton’s Closed‑Door Deposition Paused After Photo Leak Amid Wider Diplomatic Talks: Highlights the pause, Benny Johnson’s posting, Democratic demand for press access, Comer’s planned Maxwell question, Clinton’s call for a public hearing, and concurrent Geneva diplomatic negotiations
Timeline
Jan 13, 2024 – Hillary Clinton swears under oath that she has no knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activities, a declaration she later repeats during the 2026 deposition [2].
2024 – Former President Bill Clinton’s memoir notes his regret over traveling on Epstein’s private jet, providing personal context for his forthcoming congressional testimony [2].
Feb 26, 2026 – The House Oversight Committee begins a closed‑door deposition of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, where she asserts “Bill knew nothing of Epstein” and urges a public hearing [1].
Feb 26, 2026 – Conservative podcaster Benny Johnson posts a photograph of the closed‑door deposition on X, saying it was supplied by Rep. Lauren Boebert; Boebert defends the leak, tweeting “Benny did nothing wrong. Proceeding with deposition” [1][2].
Feb 26, 2026 – House spokesperson Nick Merrill announces the deposition is paused to investigate the photo breach, citing House rules that bar press or photography during depositions [1].
Feb 26, 2026 – Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia demands that reporters be allowed into the room to make the session public, emphasizing transparency after the leak [1].
Feb 26, 2026 – Chairman James Comer says any video of the deposition will be released only after Clinton’s attorneys review it and notes he will ask about Ghislaine Maxwell’s appearance at Chelsea Clinton’s wedding [1][2].
Feb 26, 2026 – The deposition resumes; Democratic members begin an hour of questioning while CNN reporter Annie Grayer reports the hearing is back in session [2].
Feb 26, 2026 – Simultaneous diplomatic negotiations in Geneva conclude U.S.–Iran nuclear talks with “signs of progress” but no breakthrough, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announces a next round of U.S.–Ukraine–Russia trilateral talks in the UAE [1].
Feb 27, 2026 – Former President Bill Clinton is slated to testify before the House Oversight Committee, marking the first time a former president is compelled to appear before Congress; his appearance follows his 2024 memoir admission and the earlier deposition of his wife [2].
2026 (later) – The planned U.S.–Ukraine–Russia trilateral talks are set to take place in the United Arab Emirates, expected to follow the Geneva negotiations and address regional security issues [1].
External resources (9 links)
- https://x.com/bennyjohnson/status/2027067846417690630?s=20 (cited 2 times)
- https://x.com/laurenboebert/status/2027082360513040519?s=46 (cited 2 times)
- https://x.com/AnnieGrayerCNN/status/2027082665065594932?s=20 (cited 1 times)
- https://x.com/HillaryClinton/status/2027053057100693779?s=20 (cited 1 times)
- https://x.com/bennyjohnson/status/2027080800961720538 (cited 1 times)
- https://x.com/bennyjohnson/status/2027084505777942569 (cited 1 times)
- https://x.com/laurenboebert/status/2027082360513040519 (cited 1 times)