Refuses to Testify Amid Epstein Inquiry
Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted former associate of Jeffrey Epstein, declined to answer questions from the US House Oversight Committee during a deposition on Monday. Currently serving a 20-year sentence at a federal prison in Texas for sex trafficking, Maxwell invoked her Fifth Amendment rights in a video call. Lawmakers are investigating anyone who may have helped Epstein perpetrate abuse, with both Donald Trump and Bill Clinton appearing frequently in recently released documents from the 1990s and early 2000s.
Clemency as a Condition for Cooperation
Maxwell’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, told the committee she would testify fully if granted a pardon by Trump. Markus asserted that Maxwell could confirm neither Trump nor Clinton engaged in wrongdoing, but that only Maxwell could explain the details to the public. The statement has sparked controversy, with lawmakers from both parties pushing back against her request.
Bipartisan Rejection and Legal Maneuvers
Several lawmakers condemned Maxwell’s attempt to link clemency to her testimony. Democratic Rep. Melanie Stansbury said Maxwell was “campaigning for clemency,” while Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna posted, “NO CLEMENCY. You comply or face punishment,” adding, “You deserve JUSTICE for what you did, you monster.” Maxwell continues to pursue appeals to overturn her conviction, citing alleged constitutional violations and “substantial new evidence,” though the Supreme Court rejected her appeal last year. The recent release of millions of Epstein-related documents has intensified scrutiny as investigators seek to understand the extent of the abuse of underage girls, some reportedly as young as 11.
