Ghislaine Maxwell, serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking scheme, invoked her Fifth Amendment rights during a virtual deposition before the House Oversight Committee on Monday. Her lawyer stated she would testify fully about Epstein's crimes only if President Donald Trump grants her clemency, adding that she could explain the innocence of both Trump and former President Bill Clinton. The committee expressed disappointment but aims to uncover more about Epstein's associates and victims.
On Monday, Ghislaine Maxwell appeared virtually from prison before the Republican-led House Oversight Committee in a closed-door session focused on Jeffrey Epstein's crimes and his powerful associates. Maxwell, convicted in 2021 of sex trafficking minors for Epstein, whom she met in 1991, refused to answer questions, citing her constitutional right against self-incrimination to protect her ongoing appeal. Her lawyer, David Markus, told reporters afterward that Maxwell is prepared to 'speak fully and honestly' if granted clemency by President Trump. 'Only she can provide the complete account,' Markus said. 'For example, both President Trump and President Clinton are innocent of any wrongdoing. Ms. Maxwell alone can explain why, and the public is entitled to that explanation.'
Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) voiced disappointment, stating, 'We had many questions to ask about the crimes she and Epstein committed, as well as questions about potential co-conspirators. We sincerely want to get to the truth for the American people and justice for survivors.' Democrats on the committee, including Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), questioned the value of the deposition given Maxwell's likely silence but emphasized the need to probe who else abused victims, which financial entities participated, and why officials may have overlooked the scheme. Krishnamoorthi also criticized the Trump administration for withholding millions of pages of documents, particularly financial records, and introduced a resolution opposing any pardon for Maxwell.
Maxwell's proposition drew skepticism. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) called it 'all strategy for her to try to get a pardon from President Trump.' Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), the top Democrat, accused the White House of giving her special treatment, noting her transfer from a low-security Florida prison to a minimum-security facility in Texas—dubbed 'Club Fed'—shortly after a July interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. In that interview, Maxwell confirmed ties between Epstein and figures like Trump and Clinton but insisted neither acted inappropriately. She praised Trump as 'a gentleman in all respects.'
Justice Department documents mention Trump and Clinton but contain no evidence of wrongdoing; victims have not accused them. In 2006, Trump reportedly told Palm Beach police chief Michael Reiter that Epstein's actions were known and urged focus on Maxwell, calling her 'evil.' Trump has said he has 'not thought about' pardoning Maxwell but would 'take a look' at her case. The committee plans to depose Bill and Hillary Clinton later this month. Over 1,000 victims seek justice, fueling bipartisan resolve.
