Hillary Rodham Clinton returned to the national spotlight in late February 2026 when she sat for a closed deposition in Chappaqua, New York, as part of a congressional investigation into the Jeffrey Epstein files, she denied any knowledge of Epstein's crimes and said she did not recall meeting him, and she criticized the probe as politically motivated. The testimonies of both Hillary Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, have become focal points in a partisan fight over what documents should be released and who should be held accountable, and the exchange has revived long running public debates about accountability, transparency, and the Clinton legacy.
Early life and rise to public life
Hillary Diane Rodham was born on October 26, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Park Ridge, a Chicago suburb. She graduated from Wellesley College, where she drew notice as a speaker at her commencement, and earned a law degree from Yale Law School in 1973. Her early career included legal aid work, a teaching position at the University of Arkansas School of Law, and a role on the House Judiciary Committee staff during the Watergate era. She married Bill Clinton in 1975, and over the following decades she blended professional work with public service.
Political career and major offices
First Lady of the United States, 1993 to 2001
As first lady, Clinton took an active role in policy debates, most visibly by leading an effort to reform health care in 1993 and 1994, which did not pass, and by promoting children and family issues. Her approach to the role was more activist than many of her predecessors, and it drew both praise and criticism.
U.S. Senator from New York, 2001 to 2009
Clinton won election to the U.S. Senate in 2000, becoming the first former first lady to win elective office, and she was reelected in 2006. In the Senate she worked on a range of issues, including veterans affairs, homeland security, and health care.
U.S. Secretary of State, 2009 to 2013
As Secretary of State in President Barack Obama's first term, Clinton focused on diplomacy, global partnerships, and what she described as a "smart power" approach that paired military capacity with development and diplomacy. Her tenure included the 2011 NATO intervention in Libya and extensive global travel to high level summits.
2016 presidential nomination
Clinton secured the Democratic Party's nomination for president in 2016, becoming the first woman to top the ticket of a major U.S. political party. She won the national popular vote, but lost the Electoral College to Republican nominee Donald Trump, a result that reshaped American politics and generated intense scrutiny of campaign strategy and voting patterns.
Post-government work and public life
After leaving public office, Clinton continued as an author, speaker, and advocate, focusing on issues that include women's rights, public health, and global development. She has written multiple books, founded and supported philanthropic initiatives through the Clinton Foundation, and helped lead the Clinton Global Initiative, which convenes leaders to pledge and implement projects.
Major books and publications
- It Takes a Village, 1996
- Living History, 2003
- Hard Choices, 2014
- Other essays, op eds, and speeches on public policy and civic life
Controversies and investigations
Hillary Clinton's long career has been accompanied by high profile controversies that shaped public perception and political debate.
Email server and classified materials
The use of a private email server while she was Secretary of State generated intensive investigation, public debate, and partisan commentary, culminating in FBI reviews and congressional hearings. Investigators ultimately did not recommend federal charges against her, though critics have continued to cite the episode as evidence of poor judgment.
Benghazi and other congressional inquiries
Clinton faced repeated congressional scrutiny over the 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, which produced extensive hearings, media coverage, and political fallout. Multiple investigations examined security failures and administration decisions, and opinions on the significance of those investigations remain sharply divided along partisan lines.
Clinton Foundation scrutiny
The Clinton Foundation's fundraising and ties to foreign donors drew allegations and probes that questioned whether donations created conflicts of interest. Supporters emphasize the foundation's philanthropic work and global initiatives, and independent reviews have not produced criminal charges tied directly to Hillary Clinton's official conduct.
The 2025 to 2026 Epstein file developments
In 2025 and early 2026, newly disclosed Department of Justice files and congressional activity prompted a House investigation into the network around Jeffrey Epstein, and a congressional subpoena process led to the Clintons agreeing to testify in February 2026 after months of negotiation. The House Oversight Committee voted to advance contempt resolutions earlier in 2026, a step that helped push the Clintons toward complying with deposition requests.
During her February 26, 2026 deposition, Clinton maintained she had no knowledge of Epstein's crimes and denied having met him, while acknowledging limited contacts with figures who associated with his circle. She described the proceedings as politically motivated, and Democrats in Congress framed the inquiry as partisan, while Republicans said it was necessary to obtain fully transparent records and answers. The depositions have further polarized public opinion, and debates about document releases, redactions, and the scope of oversight continue.
"I answered the questions I could, and I stand by my record of public service," she said, in testimony that critics and supporters alike scrutinized for both tone and content.
Public perception, partisan views, and legacy
Views of Clinton vary widely, and they often track partisan lines. Supporters point to her decades of public service, her role in expanding women's political participation, and her work on global diplomacy and development. Critics highlight policy disagreements, episodes like the email server, and ongoing questions about influence and accountability.
How supporters see her
- A trailblazer for women in politics, who broke barriers at multiple levels
- A skilled diplomat who elevated U.S. engagement on global issues
- A committed public servant focused on health, children's welfare, and human rights
How critics see her
- A polarizing figure tied to controversies that eroded public trust
- Part of an entrenched political establishment that they say is insufficiently transparent
- A focus of repeated investigations, which for some reinforces suspicions of improper conduct
Data snapshot: offices and milestones
Role | Years | Notable fact |
|---|---|---|
First Lady of the United States | 1993 to 2001 | Led policy initiatives on children and health care |
U.S. Senator from New York | 2001 to 2009 | First former first lady to win elective office |
U.S. Secretary of State | 2009 to 2013 | Championed "smart power" diplomacy |
Democratic presidential nominee | 2016 | First woman to win a major party nomination, won popular vote |
Timeline (concise)
```json
{
"1947": "Born in Chicago, Illinois",
"1969": "Graduated Wellesley College",
"1973": "Graduated Yale Law School",
"1993-2001": "First Lady of the United States",
"2001-2009": "U.S. Senator from New York",
"2009-2013": "U.S. Secretary of State",
"2016": "Democratic nominee for President",
"2025-2026": "Clinton Global Initiative activity and congressional depositions related to Epstein files"
}
```
Multiple viewpoints and what to watch next
The Clinton story continues to be shaped by new document disclosures, congressional actions, and partisan narratives. Republicans argue the recent depositions and document requests are necessary for oversight and for victims to see full transparency, while Democrats and many outside observers call for a focus on evidence over spectacle. Analysts say the outcome of released records and any further investigative findings will influence public judgment, but the broader arc of Clinton's career is unlikely to be altered in its entirety by a single probe.
Conclusion
Hillary Clinton's life in public service combines substantive accomplishments, historic firsts, and persistent controversy. From law school to the world stage, she has been a central figure in American politics for decades, and the February 2026 deposition tied to the Epstein files is the latest episode in a career that continues to provoke strong reactions, rigorous debate, and close public attention.