Hillary Clinton’s closed-door deposition in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation hit an abrupt pause Thursday — not because of explosive testimony, but because Rep. Lauren Boebert apparently decided House rules were optional.
The deposition, held in Clinton’s hometown of Chappaqua, New York, went off the record after right-wing influencer Benny Johnson posted a photo of Clinton mid-testimony. Johnson claimed the image was “provided by Rep. Lauren Boebert” and declared it “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.”
The problem? The deposition is closed-door. Sharing photos from inside the room violates committee rules that were read aloud at the start of the session.
Clinton spokesman Nick Merrill stepped outside to explain what just happened. “The hearing just went off the record for a moment because it seems, as some of you may have seen, there were some photographs shared on social media, which is against chamber rules that were read at the top of the meeting,” Merrill said. “So the hearing has been paused briefly while they figure out where the photo came from and why possibly members of Congress are violating that rule.”
Johnson later claimed Boebert gave him permission to post the image “with credit” and accused Clinton’s team of trying to “weasel out of answering questions.” Boebert herself posted, “Benny did nothing wrong,” followed by: “Proceeding with deposition.”
Democrats on the committee were not amused. Rep. Robert Garcia of California called the move “unacceptable,” saying Republicans were “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.”
The Oversight Committee is recording the deposition and says video and transcripts will be released after attorney review. Committee Chair James Comer insisted on the private setting, even though the Clintons requested a public hearing.
Clinton, who has not been accused of any crimes related to Epstein, reiterated in her opening statement that she had no involvement. “I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein. I never flew on his plane or visited his island, homes or offices,” she said.
She also used the moment to widen the lens, calling Epstein’s crimes “a global scourge with an unimaginable human toll,” and pointedly suggesting that if lawmakers are serious, they should question Donald Trump under oath.
Meanwhile, Republicans pressed her about her husband’s past association with Epstein. According to reports, Rep. Nancy Mace asked whether Clinton had “any feelings about young women massaging her husband.” A source in the room said Clinton declined to speculate “about things she was not present for” and said she was not there “to talk about feelings.”
So the day meant to grill Hillary Clinton instead turned into a sideshow about a leaked photo, a MAGA influencer, and whether members of Congress can follow their own rules.
