Comer ahead of Hillary Clinton deposition

House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-KY) spoke to reporters Thursday ahead of a closed-door deposition with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as part of the panel's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.

"This investigation is serious," he said. "It is a bipartisan investigation. The American people have a lot of questions. To my knowledge, the Clintons haven't answered very many, if any, questions about their knowledge or involvement with Epstein and [his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell]."

Rep. Comer said no one is accusing the Clintons of wrongdoing, but the panel wants answers about how the disgraced financier amassed his wealth, built relationships with some of the world's most powerful figures and whether he ever served as a government asset.

"These are the questions that we're going to ask over the next two days, and hopefully we'll be able to get some answers," he said.

The deposition follows a monthslong standoff over congressional subpoenas compelling the Clintons to testify. The former first couple argued the effort was intended to harass and embarrass them and to distract from President Trump's involvement and handling of the Epstein files.

The Clintons relented after the Oversight Committee voted, with bipartisan support, to hold them in contempt of Congress — a move that would have referred the matter to the Justice Department for possible criminal prosecution if approved by the full House.

The depositions are taking place in the Clintons' hometown of Chappaqua, New York. Ms. Clinton is scheduled to testify Thursday, followed by former President Bill Clinton on Friday.

Transcripts and video of the interviews will be released after all parties have had an opportunity to review them.