Refusing to Answer Lawmakers
Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of Jeffrey Epstein, refused to answer questions from the US House Oversight Committee during a deposition on Monday. Maxwell, serving a 20-year sentence in a federal prison in Texas for sex trafficking, invoked her Fifth Amendment rights in a video call released by the committee. Lawmakers are investigating anyone connected to Epstein who may have facilitated his abuse, which spanned decades and involved girls as young as 11.
Clemency Tied to Testimony
Maxwell’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, told lawmakers that she would speak “fully and honestly” if granted a pardon by President Donald Trump. He claimed Maxwell could confirm that neither Trump nor former President Bill Clinton engaged in wrongdoing with Epstein. Markus stressed that “only Ms. Maxwell alone can explain why,” suggesting her testimony would clear both former presidents, though Maxwell currently remains silent without clemency.
Bipartisan Rejection and Ongoing Appeals
Maxwell’s request for clemency drew sharp pushback from both parties. Democratic Rep. Melanie Stansbury said she was clearly “campaigning for clemency,” while Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna posted on social media that Maxwell “deserves JUSTICE” and that there should be “NO CLEMENCY.” Maxwell has also pursued legal avenues to overturn her conviction, claiming constitutional violations during her trial, though the Supreme Court rejected her appeal last year. The recent release of millions of documents in the Epstein case has renewed scrutiny of Maxwell’s role and potential connections to other high-profile figures.
