relevant in this inquiry. de depositions in general are interviews under oath. but congress, the way it has the power to conduct depositions before a trial, even if this isn t under oath and a transcript isn t being taken, even if it s just an interview under house rules, that s still subject to prosecution for a false statement. but whether it s so you re still not free to lie. never. can you claim the same protections? can you plead the fifth? can you refuse to answer things? can you. typically in judicial-type depositions you don t have a judge present, you don t have anyone to dispute or resolve an issue if the lawyers get into an argument. so in this kind of deposition it s an interesting thing because these people may invoke the fifth amendment, may refuse to answer questions but where do you go for a ruling? no one to do anything about it. but they are sworn and a complete transcript is taken of the proceedings.