Former Attorney General Bill Barr completed a closed-door deposition lasting over four hours before the House Oversight Committee on Monday, with lawmakers from both parties offering sharply contrasting views on its outcomes and implications for the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
According to a Fox News report, the session focused on the government's handling of Epstein's sex trafficking case, where Barr served as the first subpoenaed witness in a bipartisan probe initiated last month. Democrats expressed frustration over what they saw as insufficient Republican questioning, while Republicans defended the process as transparent and aimed at uncovering facts about Epstein's abuses.
The deposition began at 10 a.m. and ended around 2:30 p.m., with Barr arriving early and leaving without detailed comments beyond affirming a positive conversation. Lawmakers spoke to reporters midway through, highlighting the partisan divide that emerged over the inquiry's direction and effectiveness.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, and Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Va., who handled Democratic questioning, stated they emerged with more questions than answers after the session. They criticized the Republican approach, suggesting it lacked depth in addressing victim concerns and failed to advance understanding beyond existing public reports.
Crockett remarked that Republicans appeared to be merely "going through the motions" without yielding new insights. Subramanyam echoed this by saying Democrats were doing the "heavy lifting" and questioned whether the probe truly prioritized getting to the bottom of Epstein's crimes.
Subramanyam raised concerns about a potential "cover-up" involving President Trump and his allies, tying it to broader Democratic worries about political interference. Crockett implied the Republican questions could have been sourced from news articles, indicating a lack of original investigative effort.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., the only Republican lawmaker present, praised Barr for providing clarity on the Epstein matter and answering all inquiries fully. He emphasized the investigation's goal of transparency regarding horrific crimes against young girls, lauding Democrats for taking it seriously despite tensions.
Comer accused Democrats of politicizing the probe by attempting to link President Trump to Epstein without evidence. He highlighted that Barr testified he had no communications with Trump about any Epstein list and saw nothing implicating the president in wrongdoing.
Comer pointed out what he called a double standard, noting Democrats had never subpoenaed a former Democratic attorney general in a similar fashion. He urged his colleagues to maintain bipartisanship, describing the investigation as sincere and focused on delivering answers Americans deserve.
A source familiar with the deposition told reporters that Barr clarified that President Trump never gave views or instructions on Epstein's criminal case or death. The source added Barr believed the Biden Department of Justice would have released any damaging evidence against Trump if it existed, describing Barr as cooperative throughout.
Barr quipped, "Early bird gets the worm," upon arriving early to Capitol Hill, facing a barrage of questions from journalists. On departure, he simply responded "absolutely" when asked if the discussion went well, avoiding further elaboration.
The probe stems from Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's federal indictments on sex trafficking charges related to years of abusing underage girls. Barr's appearance marks the start, with subpoenas also issued to other former attorneys general, ex-FBI directors, and figures like former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton.
Bill Barr, who was attorney general under President Trump, testified in a staff-led, closed-door session at the House Oversight Committee on Capitol Hill regarding the handling of Jeffrey Epstein's case. The deposition addressed Epstein's sex trafficking activities and death, aiming to uncover government actions amid allegations of abuse against young girls.
Lawmakers clashed over motivations, with Democrats seeking deeper probes into potential cover-ups and Republicans focusing on transparency without politicization. The investigation, voted into existence last month by both parties, seeks answers for victims and the public on why Epstein's crimes persisted.
Upcoming steps include testimonies from other subpoenaed individuals, such as former attorneys general and FBI directors, potentially expanding revelations. Authorities anticipate the Department of Justice will soon produce related Epstein documents, following a looming subpoena deadline that could influence the probe's direction.
