House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer stated that some committee members support pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell in exchange for her testimony on Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking activities. Comer personally opposes the proposal, calling it a bad look. Democrats on the committee firmly reject any such deal.
James Comer, the Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee from Kentucky, disclosed on Wednesday that parts of his committee favor offering clemency to Ghislaine Maxwell. She would testify about her role and Epstein's in sex trafficking underage girls. Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence for her conviction in the scheme. Comer told POLITICO, “My committee’s split on that,” but stressed he does not back it. “I think it looks bad. Honestly, other than Epstein, the worst person in this whole investigation is Maxwell,” he said. The potential pardon would require action from President Donald Trump. Trump has addressed the matter twice: last October, he said he was unaware of her request but would “take a look at it” and speak to the Department of Justice. After Maxwell invoked the Fifth Amendment in a February virtual deposition, he replied, “It’s something I haven’t thought about.” Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the committee from California, called a pardon “a huge step backwards” and “disrespectful to the survivors.” He labeled Maxwell a “known abuser” and “known liar,” viewing any negotiation as part of a “massive cover up.” Supporters appear to be Republicans. Maxwell's lawyer, David Markus, expressed optimism last week, saying there is “a good chance and for good reason” she would receive a pardon, though he has not yet contacted the administration directly. The committee continues its Epstein probe, having questioned former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton last month, with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates scheduled next.
