Bill Clinton Responds to Epstein Files Amid White House Controversy

Former President Bill Clinton has claimed that the White House is using him as a scapegoat following the recent release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, including photographs of Clinton with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Clinton's spokesperson made the remarks after the release of these images as part of a congressional investigation into Epstein’s activities.

The spokesperson stated on social media that the release of these photos, which include Clinton in a pool with Maxwell and an unidentified young woman, is an attempt by the White House to divert attention from their own issues. "The White House hasn’t been hiding these files for months only to dump them late on a Friday to protect Bill Clinton," the spokesperson said.

The released documents come after Congress mandated their public disclosure, resulting in significant scrutiny of the individuals named within. Alongside Clinton, notable figures such as Prince Andrew, musician Mick Jagger, and pop star Michael Jackson were also identified in this first batch of files, which include various photographs and investigative materials.

Clinton has repeatedly asserted that he severed ties with Epstein around 2005, prior to Epstein's guilty plea for solicitation of a minor in Florida. His spokesperson, Angel Ureña, emphasised that there are two types of individuals concerning Epstein: those who cut ties before his crimes were known and those who maintained relationships with him afterward. Clinton's team insists they belong to the former group.

The controversy intensified as the White House communications team shared the photographs on social media, including a humorous caption that suggested Clinton was oblivious to the gravity of the situation. This has led to further accusations from Clinton's camp that the current administration is attempting to politicise the Epstein scandal.

Critics of the Department of Justice have expressed frustration over the handling of the document release. Many believe that the DOJ did not meet its legal obligations by failing to release all documents by the specified deadline, and heavily redacted many files. The redactions have led to calls for greater transparency from both Democrats and Republicans.

The documents released not only include photographs but also detail Epstein's visits to the White House during Clinton’s presidency. Records indicate that Epstein visited at least 17 times in the early years of Clinton's term. Following his presidency, Clinton was known to have travelled with Epstein on several occasions, including trips related to the Clinton Global Initiative. However, Clinton has not faced any formal accusations regarding wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.

Former President Donald Trump has previously suggested a connection between Clinton and Epstein, calling for investigations into their relationship. Trump's comments have been part of a broader narrative wherein he tries to associate the Epstein scandal with the Democratic Party.

As the fallout continues, both Bill and Hillary Clinton are scheduled to appear for depositions before the House Oversight Committee regarding their ties to Epstein. Originally set for last week, these sessions have been pushed to mid-January, with committee chair James Comer warning of potential contempt proceedings if the Clintons do not comply.

The release of documents is only the beginning, with the Justice Department indicating that hundreds of thousands more pages are set to be reviewed and made public. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the vetting process is rigorous to protect the identities of victims involved. As further documents emerge, the implications of these revelations continue to unfold, drawing public and media attention towards the complex network of individuals connected to Epstein's notorious activities.