Questions about transparency and public accountability took center stage Wednesday after Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates testified behind closed doors before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee as part of its ongoing investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and the federal government’s handling of the notorious sex trafficking case.
The private deposition immediately raised eyebrows because, while Gates answered lawmakers’ questions outside public view, several of Epstein’s alleged victims previously testified in open hearings where their statements were broadcast and scrutinized by the public.
The committee defended the decision, arguing that closed-door depositions allow investigators to conduct more detailed and uninterrupted questioning.
“The Committee is conducting a thorough investigation of the federal government’s handling of the Epstein and Maxwell cases,” an Oversight Committee spokesperson told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “Depositions and transcribed interviews provide the committee with more in depth, sustained questioning in order to gather the facts.”
🚨 @timburchett took our questions outside where Bill Gates is testifying. He believed the hearing should have been “wide open” to public
Watch here 👇@DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/xxHhLM28H0
— Nicole Silverio (@NicoleMSilverio) June 10, 2026
According to the committee, Gates’ appearance marked the 15th interview conducted as part of the investigation. Officials also noted that transcripts from interviews are released publicly after the sessions are completed.
Still, not everyone was satisfied with that explanation.
Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., expressed support for greater transparency when asked why Gates was not questioned in a public hearing.
“I’m about transparency, I always say let it be wide open,” Burchett said. “It seems to be something both parties agree on.”
Burchett suggested the decision was made at a level above his involvement but indicated he generally favors making such proceedings available to the public. He also described Gates as appearing noticeably stressed during the deposition.
“He looked very worn down and stressed,” Burchett told reporters afterward.
Democrats on the committee also voiced frustration over the closed-door format. Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the committee’s ranking Democrat, said his party preferred a fully public proceeding.
“Let’s be really clear, we want public hearings, we want these video taped, we want them under oath, we want these released to the American public,” Garcia said. “We think it’s very unfortunate. We should be opening these to the American public.”
The deposition comes amid renewed scrutiny of Gates’ past relationship with Epstein following the Department of Justice’s release of more than three million pages of documents related to Epstein and convicted associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
🚨🚨 Oversight Ranking member @RobertGarcia tells me his side wanted the Bill Gates testimony to be open to the public @DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/Oc7uW19uGk
— Nicole Silverio (@NicoleMSilverio) June 10, 2026
Those records included references to Gates’ meetings with Epstein years after Epstein had already served jail time for soliciting a minor. The files also contained drafts of emails allegedly written by Epstein discussing Gates, including claims involving personal matters and references to medical treatment. The authenticity and context of those drafts have remained subjects of discussion since their release.
Adding another layer to the story, reports surfaced that Gates retained attorney Jake Greenberg to help prepare for his testimony. Greenberg had previously played a leading role in the committee’s Epstein investigation before leaving that position last year. Ethics experts cited by various outlets questioned the optics of that arrangement, although no wrongdoing has been alleged.
For years, Gates has acknowledged that meeting with Epstein was a mistake. In a February interview with Australia’s 9 News, Gates again addressed the controversy, insisting he never visited Epstein’s private island and never participated in the conduct that made Epstein infamous.
“It’s factually true that I was only at dinners,” Gates said. “I never went to the island, I never met any women.”
Gates added that while he regretted the association, he maintained it had no connection to criminal behavior.
As Congress continues digging through millions of pages of records and interviewing individuals connected to the Epstein case, the debate over transparency appears likely to continue. Lawmakers from both parties may disagree on many aspects of the investigation, but Wednesday’s reaction suggested there is at least some bipartisan support for making more of the proceedings visible to the public.
