BERLIN, Feb 17: Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has accused US President Donald Trump’s administration of trying to “cover-up” its handling of the Epstein files.
The release of the massive pile of investigative documents related to the late disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has led to heated tensions in what is already a chaotic political battlefield between the Democrats and the ruling Republicans. Several high-profile names from both parties have been mentioned in the infamous files.
Speaking to BBC in Berlin during the annual World Forum, Clinton urged full transparency, and stated “Get the files out, they are slow-walking it,” she alleged, arguing that public was entitled to seeing all material connected to the case.
The White House has rejected the former Secretary of State’s allegations of any kind of ‘cover up’ or ‘slow-walking’, and has repeatedly insisted that the administration had taken unprecedented steps towards ensuring transparency in the matter, as it continues releasing the files on a piecemeal basis.
In a statement, the White House said that by releasing thousands of pages of documents and cooperating with congressional oversight, the Trump administration had already “done more for the victims than Democrats ever have.”
Earlier this month, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) released millions of new files linked to the deceased pedophile-sex offender following the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, legislation requiring the agency to make public materials related to investigations into him.
However, the deputy attorney general said approximately three million additional pages were withheld due to the presence of sensitive medical records, graphic depictions of child abuse and other material that could compromise ongoing investigations.
The scope and sufficiency of the release have since become a political flashpoint in Washington, leading to heated verbal spats between both sides, as lawmakers from both parties have argued that the disclosures remain incomplete.
Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who co-authored the transparency law, has called for the DoJ to release internal memoranda explaining past prosecutorial decisions regarding Epstein and his associates.
Clinton also addressed questions about whether Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should testify before a congressional committee examining Epstein’s network. “I think everybody should testify who is asked to testify,” she said.
Appearing in the files is not in itself evidence of wrongdoing, as many big names have been mentioned merely in passing, having no connection with Epstein himself. However, Andrew’s name has appeared many times leading to the revocation of his royal title, though he has consistently denied any misconduct, despite keeping in touch with Epstein while he was in jail.
Former US President Bill Clinton is scheduled to testify on February 27, with Hillary Clinton, as both are set to appear before a congressional panel for their hearing, marking the first time a former US president has testified before a congressional panel since Gerald Ford did so in 1983.
Hillary Clinton reiterated that she and her husband prefer an open hearing rather than a closed-door deposition. “We will show up but we think it would be better to have it in public,” she said.
“I just want it to be fair. I want everybody treated the same way. We have nothing to hide. We have called for the full release of these files repeatedly. We think sunlight is the best disinfectant.”
Alleging that the renewed focus on the Clintons was an attempt to deflect attention from Trump, the former First Lady said “Look at this shiny object. We’re going to have the Clintons, even Hillary Clinton, who never met the guy.”
Acknowledging her meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell, one Epstein’s associate who was later convicted on sex trafficking charges, “on a few occasions,” Clinton has denied any wrongdoings by either her or her husband.
Bill Clinton was named in Epstein-related files and has acknowledged his acquaintanceship with Epstein, though added that he had severed all contact with the financier more than two decades ago.
Neither Clinton has been accused of wrongdoing by survivors of Epstein’s abuse, and both have denied any knowledge of his criminal conduct at the time.
Epstein died in a New York jail cell on August 10, 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, more than a decade after a prior conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Though his death was ruled off as suicide, wider theories continue to persist.
His associate Ghislaine Maxwell, was later similarly convicted and sentenced to prison.
(UNI)
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