Maxwell Invokes Fifth Amendment
Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted former associate of Jeffrey Epstein, declined to answer questions from the US House Oversight Committee during a deposition on Monday. Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence in a federal prison in Texas for sex trafficking, pleaded her Fifth Amendment rights in a video call. Lawmakers are investigating individuals connected to Epstein who may have helped facilitate his crimes, with recent documents showing that both Donald Trump and Bill Clinton spent time with Epstein in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Clemency as a Condition for Testimony
Maxwell’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, said she would be willing to testify if granted a pardon by former President Trump. Markus claimed that Maxwell could confirm neither Trump nor Clinton engaged in wrongdoing related to Epstein, and that only Maxwell could provide certain explanations to the public. Markus described Maxwell as “prepared to speak fully and honestly” if clemency is granted.
Bipartisan Pushback and Legal Challenges
Maxwell’s request for clemency drew swift criticism from lawmakers across the aisle. Democratic Rep. Melanie Stansbury said Maxwell was clearly “campaigning for clemency,” while Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna posted, “NO CLEMENCY. You comply or face punishment,” and called Maxwell a “monster” deserving justice. Maxwell continues to pursue legal avenues to overturn her conviction, claiming her trial involved constitutional violations. While the Supreme Court rejected her appeal last year, she has asked a federal judge to review new evidence. The release of millions of Epstein-related documents has reignited scrutiny of Maxwell and her role in the abuse of girls as young as 11, according to a US Virgin Islands government lawsuit.
