Ghislaine Maxwell invoked the Fifth Amendment to avoid testifying to a congressional committee Monday but offered to talk if President Trump grants her clemency for her role in Jeffrey Epstein’s infamous sex trafficking ring.
Epstein’s convicted sidekick refused to answer any questions in a virtual appearance before the House Oversight Committee on the advice of her lawyer, who told the panel she would only talk if Trump pardons her or commutes her sentence for sex trafficking girls and young women.
“Maxwell is prepared to speak fully and honestly if granted clemency by President Trump,” said David Oscar Markus, the lawyer. “Only she can provide the complete account.”
The demand for clemency is the clearest cut public offer by Maxwell to trade what she knows about Epstein’s crimes for her freedom.
Markus added that Maxwell believes neither Trump nor former President Clinton, who is expected to testify later in the month, committed any crimes related to their friendships with Epstein.
Republicans and Democrats alike slammed Maxwell for stonewalling the panel.
But Democrats suggested that Trump is also to blame for her refusal to talk because he has repeatedly refused to rule out giving her clemency.
“She is campaigning over and over again to get that pardon from President Trump, and this president has not ruled it out,” said Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-Virgina). “And so that is why she is continuing to not cooperate.
Rep. James Comer (R-Kentucky) , the committee chair, called it “unfortunate” that Maxwell took the Fifth and said he didn’t think she should be granted a pardon.
Trump, who was once friends with both Epstein and Maxwell in Palm Beach social circles, has repeatedly refused to say if he might pardon Maxwell, claiming that he hasn’t given the issue any thought. After Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison, Trump said he would “wish her well.”
Trump has also asserted that he did not have any role in granting Maxwell a highly unusual transfer from a harsh federal prison to a cushy prison camp in Texas.
Maxwell was moved to the camp, where she reportedly receives special treatment and favors from prison officials, shortly after she sat for two days of questioning from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
Maxwell reportedly told Blanche that she never saw Trump do anything improper or illegal around Epstein. Critics note that Maxwell has lied repeatedly about her role in Epstein’s sex ring and would have a huge incentive to curry favor with Trump.
Along with the Trump clemency push, Maxwell is appealing her conviction. She hopes to get a New York federal judge to consider supposed new evidence.
